Bishop Edward C. Malesic announced yesterday that the distribution of wine during communion will be suspended and churches in the four-county diocese will also temporarily stop the offering of handshakes and other physical contact during the exchange of the Sign of Peace. Also, ushers and greeters are to have minimal contact with parishioners on public service areas.
Other procedures will be in place given the current health concerns, including having priests wash their hands before Holy Communion and use alcohol-based antibacterial hand sanitizer afterward. Priests are also to ask parishioners to stay home if they are sick.
The decision is a revision of a policy announced on Monday that left it up to the pastor at each parish. It comes as a second wave of flu is making its way through the region, and amid new concerns over the coronavirus.
