Italian Celiac Association AIC said
Tuesday that it was possible for Catholic sufferers of the
autoimmune disease to take low-gluten wafers at Communion while
respecting their health and their faith.
At the weekend, the Catholic Church released a statement on
bread and wine for the Eucharist that said that "hosts that are
completely gluten-free are invalid", sparking concern among many
celiac sufferers.
The AIC (Associazione Italiana Celiachia) said the document,
sent by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline
of the Sacraments to bishops at Pope Francis's request, "does
not add anything new".
It said media reports had distorted parts of the document
regarding gluten-free hosts and created "groundless alarmism
among Catholic celiac sufferers".
It said that it was possible for sufferers to take wafers
that are considered 'gluten free', with a minimal gluten content
not above 20 mg/kg, or 'very low gluten',with a maximum gluten
content of 100 mg/kg, at Communion without risking their health,
given the small quantities consumed.
The AIC said the Church document was released to address the
question of gluten-free wafers sold online or at supermarkets
that may not be suitable for Communion.
The AIC statement gave a list of both gluten-free and
low-gluten wafers that are suitable for the Church.
The statement also called on priests to be especially
attentive to ensure they do not cause cross-contamination by
handling wafers containing gluten and then giving a gluten-free
wafer to a celiac sufferer.
It appealed for the clergy to be especially attentive with
children celiac sufferers to try to ensure they do not feel
different during communion.
Indeed, it recommended that all the children taking part in
a First Communion and Confirmation ceremony be given low gluten
wafers if a celiac sufferer is taking part, to avoid
highlighting that the child is different to the faithful
present.
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