5d ago

Church of England refuses call for gluten-free wafers and non-alcoholic wine

www.theguardian.com Church of England refuses call for gluten-free wafers and non-alcoholic wine

Synod was asked to bring in alternatives for Eucharist, but says believers can still take part without consuming both

Synod was asked to bring in alternatives for Eucharist, but says believers can still take part without consuming both

Archived version: https://archive.is/20250209191433/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/09/church-of-england-gluten-free-wafers-non-alcoholic-wine-communion

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16 comments

So the wafer and wine are irrelevant and this is merely theatre?
- CoE doesn’t participate in the practice of transubstantiation as far as I know. It’s usually the more orthodox branches of the church.
- Anglicans do not believe in transubstantiation so the bread and wine are metaphorical and you shouldn’t feel obligated to take part.
- I take it you’ve never been to a Catholic mass before? It’s ok if you haven’t, but to answer your question: yes, it’s all very theatrical. All of it. You really want to see a show, go to Easter or Christmas mass. It’s wild.
  My “favorite” part of mass is how they beat their chests proclaiming that it’s their fault (for sin).
  It’s really a cult.
  
  As an ex catholic (now secular) you had me in the first half. I’ve never seen any chest beating though. That seems more of a Protestant thing to do.
  
  You shouldn’t comment on things you clearly are not educated in.
  For Roman Catholics this isn’t theater. They believe in transubstantiation so that really is the body and blood of Christ according to the faith.
  Cults don’t have memberships that rival continents. There are more Christians on earth than there are Europeans.

Well this will be interesting; I know there are UK parishes that have had these options unofficially for years.

16 comments