Church of England Upholds Traditional Communion Rules

Calls to allow gluten-free bread and non-alcoholic wine in communion were rejected during the General Synod, citing adherence to longstanding practices.

• The Church of England reaffirmed that communion bread must be made from wheat flour and wine must be fermented grape juice, excluding gluten-free and non-alcoholic alternatives.
• The decision was made ahead of the General Synod, a five-day meeting of church leaders, which began on Monday.
• Reverend Canon Alice Kemp criticized the decision, arguing it excludes members with coeliac disease, gluten intolerance, or alcohol abstinence from fully participating in the sacrament.
• The Church maintains that receiving only one element of communion, such as bread or wine, still constitutes full participation in the sacrament by faith.
• While low-gluten wafers are permitted, the Church emphasized that substitutes like rice or potato flour cannot be used, aligning with its traditional definitions of bread and wine.

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