Gluten-free Communion Bread Breaks Catholic Church's Canon Law

I am a Catholic who has lived with the gluten-free Host issue since 1985. During this period I have literally been at the mercy of having either priests who minister to people, rather than priests who minister exclusively to man-made Canon Law. As a Eucharistic Minister, I have seen several times the cross contamination of wine intended to be gluten-free. With the newer low-gluten Host, I as well react to that. 

I have written the book, "Journey of a Celiac's Soul: A Second Chance at Life," to focus on the truth of this forgotten issue. The Church hierarchy have their low-gluten Host option, to them this is a closed issue. Hardly, for anyone having a reaction as well to this second option.

Would Jesus, really ever leave  any individual with a medical disease, with the option of having to harm their physical health to receive Him?

I'm glad this article is bringing awareness to a potential source of gluten exposure for Catholics with celiac disease. But I'm shocked by the amount of misinformation in this article. While it is true that the host must by cannon law contain wheat, it does not need to contain gluten. There are several hosts approved by US Catholic Bishops conference made with wheat starch but processed and tested to be below 20pmm. My own parish uses Cavanagh low gluten hosts which are tested to be lower than 20pmm. There of course many areas where cross contamination can occur so I would urge any Catholic with celiac disease to have a conversation with their priest or sacristan about how their host is handled before and during concentration and distribution (ie kept on a separate paten). And as the article correctly asserts, lay Catholics can receive from the chalice alone. But they should ensure that they do not take wine from the priest's chalice as that will always contain a piece of the host (this is called the fermentum). Catholics wishing to receive from the chalice alone should request a separate, not commingled chalice from their priest or sacristan. I hope this assuages some of the fears and anxiety for newly diagnosed Catholics. You CAN safely receive communion as a Catholic with celiac disease, despite what this article might make you think! 

I gave up communion. I am allergic to wheat as well as intolerant to gluten. I used to have the chalice, but cross contamination is an issue. The church's position is that Jesus used wheat-based bread and so the bread used during communion must also have wheat-based bread. Damned because of a disease I did not ask for!

On 12/17/2022 at 12:20 PM, Margaret O'Connor said:

I am a Catholic who has lived with the gluten-free Host issue since 1985. During this period I have literally been at the mercy of having either priests who minister to people, rather than priests who minister exclusively to man-made Canon Law. As a Eucharistic Minister, I have seen several times the cross contamination of wine intended to be gluten-free. With the newer low-gluten Host, I as well react to that. 

I have written the book, "Journey of a Celiac's Soul: A Second Chance at Life," to focus on the truth of this forgotten issue. The Church hierarchy have their low-gluten Host option, to them this is a closed issue. Hardly, for anyone having a reaction as well to this second option.

Would Jesus, really ever leave  any individual with a medical disease, with the option of having to harm their physical health to receive Him?

I absolutely agree with you.  Sticking rigidly to Canon Law which has been decided by humans is going by the letter and not the Spirit of the law.
 It is exactly what Christ came to change about the Jewish law.  He performed many of his miracles on the Sabbath when no activity of any sort was allowed. 
Also, it is doubtful if the original bread at the Last Supper was made of wheat as the grain used was more likely barley which was their staple.  No doubt, barley is also not gluten free but the point is that Canon Law was not strict about adhering to barley but changed it to wheat. 

On 12/18/2022 at 9:09 AM, Ksee17 said:

I'm glad this article is bringing awareness to a potential source of gluten exposure for Catholics with celiac disease. But I'm shocked by the amount of misinformation in this article. While it is true that the host must by cannon law contain wheat, it does not need to contain gluten. There are several hosts approved by US Catholic Bishops conference made with wheat starch but processed and tested to be below 20pmm. My own parish uses Cavanagh low gluten hosts which are tested to be lower than 20pmm. There of course many areas where cross contamination can occur so I would urge any Catholic with celiac disease to have a conversation with their priest or sacristan about how their host is handled before and during concentration and distribution (ie kept on a separate paten). And as the article correctly asserts, lay Catholics can receive from the chalice alone. But they should ensure that they do not take wine from the priest's chalice as that will always contain a piece of the host (this is called the fermentum). Catholics wishing to receive from the chalice alone should request a separate, not commingled chalice from their priest or sacristan. I hope this assuages some of the fears and anxiety for newly diagnosed Catholics. You CAN safely receive communion as a Catholic with celiac disease, despite what this article might make you think! 

I don't think I am a super sensitive Celiac, but anything closer to the higher range of 20ppm would do me in over time.  I've read articles that say wheat starch is safe for Celiac's because it is less than the legal definition for gluten free at 20ppm, however, many cannot tolerate that higher limit.  I personally know several Celiac's besides myself, and we all cannot tolerate that high.  What is the actual ppm that you test at?  Hopefully closer to 0 than to 20.

There are a few of us Celiacs who receive at our parish with no problems.  The Host contains wheat at a level of 5 ppm.  We have a dedicated Eucharistic minister trained to cleanse her hands after receiving her Host and then cleanses her hands to present ours.  There has been discussion that we will be offered wine in the near future, but again, there will be a dedicated chalice for those with Celiac or NC gluten sensitivity. 

I must add that we are fortunate our parish administrator has a daughter with Celiac and was instrumental in teaching about Celiac and training the ministers.  When we arrive at mass, we sign in, so Fr. knows how many Hosts to consecrate.  So far so good.

I'm Catholic and am blest to be able to tolerate the low gluten host. I sit in the 1st pew so the priest distributes communion to maybe 7 people before me. My hosts are kept in a pix separate from the wheat host.  Talk to your priest to determine how he can best give you Jesus. Maybe he can concecrate a small amount of wine for you in a small chalice.