Church of England BANS non-alcoholic wine and gluten-free bread from Holy Communion NON-ALCOHOLIC wine cannot be used in Holy Communion, the Church of England’s governing body has ruled.
Church guidance stipulates that, in order to be consecrated — made holy by a priest — the wine must be the fermented juice of the grape and the bread made using wheat flour.
Bishop Ipgrave, chair of the Church’s Liturgical Commission, said the first was that bread with wheat and fermented grape juice were the elements to be consecrated in Holy Communion.
Bishop of Lichfield Michael Ipgrave, however, said allowing booze-free wine and gluten-free bread would “overturn two settled positions in the Church”.
Synod member Rev Canon Alice Kemp said the ruling was unfair to the gluten intolerant and those who avoid alcohol.
