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!
Gluten-free Communion Bread Breaks Catholic Church's Canon Law
in Conferences, Publicity, Pregnancy, Church, Bread Machines, Distillation & Beer
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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!