The Church of England has reaffirmed that Holy Communion must be conducted with bread made from wheat flour and wine from fermented grape juice, ruling out non-alcoholic wine and gluten-free alternatives. This decision, outlined in documents ahead of the Church’s General Synod, acknowledges concerns about accessibility but maintains traditional sacramental requirements.
Holy Communion, a key Christian rite symbolizing the body and blood of Christ, requires specific elements for consecration. While wheat flour can be processed to lower gluten levels and alcohol can be removed post-fermentation, trace amounts inevitably remain.
The Church explicitly prohibits substitutes like rice or potato flour.
Reverend Canon Alice Kemp criticized the decision, arguing that priests and congregants who cannot consume gluten or alcohol face exclusion. She urged the Church to reconsider allowing gluten-free and alcohol-free elements to ensure inclusivity.
Bishop Michael Ipgrave, chair of the Church’s Liturgical Commission, responded that altering these requirements would overturn longstanding doctrine. He emphasized that receiving only one element—such as bread without wine—still constitutes full participation, as is common practice for the sick or children. He reassured believers that even those unable to physically partake remain spiritually connected to the sacrament.
