I have been asked to clarify the Church of England's advice around communicants intincting (dipping) their own wafers into the wine when receiving communion.

The practice is not recommended because it carries a greater risk of unknowingly sharing infection via multiple hands going into the chalice, than by passing the chalice along for all to drink from. If anyone would like their wafer to be intincted, please indicate this to the priest who is administering the bread, and can do this for you. The priest will have sanitised their hands before the administration, so reducing any risk.

Sharing the common cup in the traditional way is considered by the church to be safer than individual communicants intincting. It also teaches that receiving Communion in one kind, that is, taking only the bread, is considered to be full reception of the sacrament.

Please do speak to any of the clergy about this if it is of concern to you.

Thanks,

Jane xx