Canon B17 of the Canons of the Church of England requires that Communion bread be crafted from the finest wheat flour available. Sunday mornings are busy for Church of England parish priests. While most are still cozy in bed, the vicar is already up, organizing services across several rural churches. They navigate country lanes to reach the churches, where volunteers have readied the spaces and a small group of parishioners attend the service. The day may involve additional services and visits to elderly community members who are unable to attend church. Dressed in clerical attire, the vicar carries essential items like a Bible, prayer book, sermons, and communion supplies including wafers and wine. Catering to various dietary needs such as gluten-free or non-alcoholic requirements has become a new challenge for clergy, alongside other responsibilities such as declining attendance and maintaining church traditions. Abigail Ogier from the Diocese of Manchester raised a question at the recent General Synod about accommodating parishioners with dietary restrictions during Communion, as traditional guidelines specify using wheat flour and wine in the sacrament. The clash between tradition and modern dietary preferences poses a dilemma for clergy as they strive to serve their diverse congregations.
In a UK restaurant, it is customary for servers to inquire about allergies when taking orders, even though most responses indicate none. The responsibility to mention any intolerances lies with the diner. So, will those strict about intolerances criticize the Church of England if it remains steadfast in its practices? A blessing and a full-on transubstantiation are not the same, so to accommodate a few vocal critics, the vicar may have to add more options during communion. “Blood of Christ, Non-alc or 15% ABV… Body of Christ, single cross, sealed edge, special wholemeal or individually-wrapped gluten-free?” As a restaurant critic with diagnosed intolerances to wheat, dairy, and alcohol, I choose to ignore them for the enjoyment of eating, sticking to a wheat-based wafer and requesting the 15% ABV. The small indulgence of alcohol during the service is a reward for enduring it. To those with intolerances, I suggest easing the burden on your local priest by taking a risk or accepting a blessing.
