New Communion Wafer a Blessing for Catholics with Gluten-sensitivity

Unfortunately, these still contain gluten. And unfortunately, this still isn't safe for celiacs. I think the Catholic Church needs to be very, very clear that this is a Roman Catholic policy / tradition that does not apply to other denominations. Other denominations do not require that a specific grain be used in the communion wafers!

My 13 year old son receives these each Sunday. His GI approved them, providing he doesn't have any reaction to them, which he doesn't. We're both very thankful that the sisters make them and that our Church offers them.

My children and I have been receiving these low-gluten hosts for a year and have figured out that these are now causing the same reaction as a gluten accident. At first, I thought they were mainly rice flour with a smidgen of wheat. I would not buy anything off of the shelf containing wheat starch so why will I subject my family to these hosts. We are strong in our faith. We will abstain from the Holy Eucharist and partake of the Precious Blood if available. God understands.

My mom & I have be using these hosts since 2004 and have had no ill effects. Like the article says, they are VERY LOW gluten, meeting the proposed acceptable level. The Catholic Church never claimed that this policy applies to other denominations. I think it is great that these hosts are available to gluten free Catholics desiring to receive the BODY of CHRIST.

I cannot believe that a celiac journal would print this - the only treatment for celiac disease is a totally gluten free diet.

It's a bit of catch 22 for Roman Catholics - Your not permitted to knowingly do something which is bad for you (ie. have wheat products) but if you don't have communion you can't get to heaven.

PS. Roman Catholics can still have wine.

I live near the Benedictine Sisters and my parish has been using their low-gluten wafers for a few years now. The ability to participate in Communion is a wonderful blessing for a Gluten Intolerant newly converted Catholic. The Catholic Church made it very clear the reason behind the "policy/tradition" when I converted this past year with no apprehension. Our parish has set the standard for our diocese on how to safely provide this alternative for gluten intolerant Catholics thanks to the Benedictine Sisters.

The headline is misleading. The wafers still contain gluten and unless you experience one of those catholic miracles, you will be exposed to gluten.

The only answer is for the Catholic church to recognize that until there is a cure, gluten is poison for those afflicted.

I cannot believe that a celiac journal would print this - the only treatment for celiac disease is a totally gluten free diet.

 

It's a bit of catch 22 for Roman Catholics - Your not permitted to knowingly do something which is bad for you (ie. have wheat products) but if you don't have communion you can't get to heaven.

 

PS. Roman Catholics can still have wine.

In response to GTT517: No, you can still get into heaven even if you can't take communion. My father was too ill to take solid foods and there are many people who can't take communion because of the wheat, but we don't believe you will be condemned to the netherworld if you can't take communion.

I cannot believe that a celiac journal would print this - the only treatment for celiac disease is a totally gluten free diet.

 

It's a bit of catch 22 for Roman Catholics - Your not permitted to knowingly do something which is bad for you (ie. have wheat products) but if you don't have communion you can't get to heaven.

 

PS. Roman Catholics can still have wine.

Actually, if you are unable to take communion because of an illness, you are not excluded from going to heaven.

The headline is misleading. The wafers still contain gluten and unless you experience one of those catholic miracles, you will be exposed to gluten.

 

The only answer is for the Catholic church to recognize that until there is a cure, gluten is poison for those afflicted.

As seen from numerous comments, many people with gluten-intolerance will be able to consume these communion wafers with no issue. Others will not. People with celiac disease likely cannot tolerate these. However, I feel that the development of the wafers helps to raise celiac/gluten awareness in general, and that is not a bad thing. Nor is having an alternative for some people.

I cannot believe that a celiac journal would print this - the only treatment for celiac disease is a totally gluten free diet.

 

It's a bit of catch 22 for Roman Catholics - Your not permitted to knowingly do something which is bad for you (ie. have wheat products) but if you don't have communion you can't get to heaven.

 

PS. Roman Catholics can still have wine.

"PS. Roman Catholics can still have wine."

...unless they are alcoholics with celiac disease. THEN the church suggests you become a Jew.

As a Catholic I would like to clear up a few misconceptions in the comments section here.

I think the most important thing to know is that one does NOT have to receive communion to go to heaven! I think the best way to explain the idea that you "must" receive communion (which is based on John 6) is that the Eucharist helps *draw us* toward heaven—but it is no absolute requirement. God is merciful.

Catholics believe that in the Eucharist, we receive the complete and undivided Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, in a real and literal way. A worshiper who receives EITHER the host OR the chalice, receives that complete Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. (And, technically, after consecration, it shouldn't be called "bread" or "wine" anymore.)

The extremely low-gluten hosts are probably the best that can possibly done for people with gluten sensitivity. Of course, if a low-gluten host is unacceptable, a celiac sufferer can still receive communion from the chalice. One can even arrange to have a separate chalice of wine consecrated just for celiac worshipers, to prevent any gluten cross contamination.

If a person can't tolerate ordinary wine either, it can be arranged that a very low-alcohol, only slightly fermented wine called mustum can be used. If even that can't be tolerated, then the worshiper will have to go without the sacrament, knowing that he or she can still make a spiritual communion. God is merciful.

The incredible teaching of the Real Presence shows why the Church considers it gravely important to "get it right." Wheat for the host and fermented grape wine for the chalice are essential. For this reason Catholic requirements are more strict than those of most Protestant denominations.

Nobody knows what celiac disease means for you better than God. He knows what He is doing by making this cross a part of your journey here on earth. He understands even if nobody in your parish seems to "get it." It can even be just between you and Him. Imagine Him looking right at you, shrugging, and saying "I know, they're clueless. Tell me about it."