Swine 'Flu

In the light of the recommendations issued 23rd July 2009 by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York that there should be a suspension of the sharing of the chalice at communion, The Bishop of Ely has offered the following guidance to the Diocese in the interests of public health during the current phase of the H1N1 flu pandemic.

The Revd Michael Goater Emergency Planning Officer

As our Diocesan guidelines advise, the responsible course of action which we have adopted in the Diocese is to take all reasonable precautions to limit the spread of the H1N1 virus. Because the progress of the infection in our diocese has been uneven, the nature of these precautions have properly been, and to an extent should remain, a matter of local discretion, having due regard to the advice of central authorities.

However, in deciding their local response to what is undoubtedly now a more rapid and widespread advance of the virus in our region, I am advising parishes today that they should weigh most seriously the Archbishops' strong recommendation that from this Sunday (26 July 2009) those presiding at Holy Communion should suspend the administration of the chalice during this wave of the pandemic, having regard to the duty of care we owe to the neighbour in our congregations and communities.

Where parishes wish to continue to offer communion in both kinds, my advice is that from this Sunday (26 July 2009), the presiding minister - and s/he alone - should personally intinct all wafers before placing them in the hand of communicants, a practice which is widely observed in Anglican churches in Africa. I would strongly advise against placing the intincted wafer in the communicant's mouth, since this risks the spread of infection.

As the Diocesan guidelines remind us, our communicants need to be confident that the clergy and all assistant ministers have followed the guidance on hygiene in this, and, particularly, that ministers' hands should have been washed with the appropriate alcohol-based rub before handling the elements and the vessels.

The Diocesan guidelines also invite parishes to consider their practice when exchanging the peace. Again in the light of the Archbishops' recommendations, I would urge now that very serious thought be given to the principle of social distancing in minimising the spread of infection by avoiding direct personal contact at the peace and at the church door.

I shall keep this advice under constant review and ask that you check regularly the guidelines on the Diocesan website, which will be updated when required and as quickly as possible to take account of the changing situation.

Thank you to all of you whose ministry in these confused and troubled times is bringing the love and healing power of Christ to the people of our Diocese.

The Rt Revd Dr Anthony Russell
The Bishop of Ely

Swine Flu Guidelines (v8, updated 30th July)

Update - September 2009

An update was given to the College of Bishops at their meeting in September 2009.

Update - November 2009

Bishop Anthony has received the promised further guidance from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, which can be read here , and which, for the reasons given in the Archbishops' communiqué, Bishop Anthony unequivocally recommends as his counsel for our continued practice in the Diocese.  The Archbishops' advice, which accords fully with our Diocesan guidelines, will bring little solace to those who are finding the present circumstance so difficult, but it will not be unexpected.   Vigilance and patience remain the watchwords, with responsible practice in what is still a fast-changing situation, because of our responsibility to take public health considerations seriously.  This, many would say, is a scriptural imperative.  The Archbishops have promised to review their guidance in a month's time.

Michael Goater, Bishop's Adviser for Emergency Planning
2 November 2009