We are writing to inform you that we have updated our guidance in relation to suspension of the Common Cup and other practical steps in response to Coronavirus Covid-19. It is our view…, that it is now necessary to suspend the administration of the chalice as well as physical contact during the sharing of the peace, blessing or “laying on of hands”.

We therefore advise that all priests should:-

  • Offer Communion in one kind only to all communicants i.e. the consecrated bread, with the priest alone taking the wine;
  • suspend hand shaking or other direct physical contact during the sharing of the peace;
  • suspend direct physical contact as part of a blessing or ‘laying on of hands’.

We are all in this together and we all must be alert to the challenges and the demands that we might face. We are seeking national advice regularly and are very grateful to all those who are working with us. Clearly, none of us knows precisely how the current situation will develop so we need to pray and work to be prepared for all reasonable eventualities.