Communion wine back in Lancashire churches as swine flu worries dip

The Right Rev Nicholas Reade, Bishop of Blackburn, said the Church of England communion wine would not be offered ‘until further notice’ in July.

But he has now told priests in Blackburn Diocese’s 230 parishes, which cover most of Lancashire, that it is possible to lift these measures “immediately”.

Bishop Reade said: “I have received confirmation that we are on to phase two of the swine flu vaccination programme, which means those at greatest risk have now been offered vaccination.

“I am sorry that in the interests of public health and particularly our concern for those at greatest risk that it proved necessary to withhold the chalice for these last four and half months, but I have no doubt that this was a wise and responsible thing to do.”

In a circular sent around the diocese the Bishop urged colleagues to continue to pay attention to wiping the metal chalice used during Holy Communion, and to not use the same part of a 'purificator' device more than once to clean it.

He reminded them of the importance of hand hygiene and using antiseptic gel and said consecrated bread must still be placed into the hands of worshippers, rather than into their mouths.

Archbishops’ guidelines also dictate that the practice of Intinction - partly dipping the consecrated host into consecrated wine before distributing it to the communicant – should “for the time being, be avoided” to minimise the risk of cross-infection.

Swine flu-related deaths rose from 14 to 21 in the North West last month.

Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson also said nationally 163 people have died since April as a result of the virus.

More than 2,000 people have been admitted to hospital since the end of July in the region as a result of swine flu.

However, the overall number of cases of swine flu in England has dropped and the Government said it was reviewing its online and telephone flu service with a view to withdrawing it after Christmas.