BOSTON — When worshippers clasp hands to “pass the peace” or share the communion cup and offering plates, religious leaders around the country want to be sure they don’t also pass on swine flu.
Catholic churches in many dioceses with confirmed cases of the flu will not offer communion wine, and parishioners have been urged to bow or nod instead of offering a handshake.
Imams have been told the communal prayer today can be canceled and done privately. One rabbi is making hand sanitizer available to stave off germs that could be passed when the Torah is touched as it is carried throughout the synagogue.
In San Antonio, the University United Methodist Church ordered more than 3,000 individually wrapped communion wafers and juice packets for this week to avoid having to skip communion, which many Protestant churches serve the first Sunday of the month.
“In a time of fear, we just wanted people to have assurance we were doing everything we could do,” said Shauna Forkenbrock, a church spokeswoman.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state officials have confirmed dozens of cases of swine flu across the country, though just one death in the United States has been reported, in Houston. In most confirmed U.S. cases, the patients are recovering.
But with warnings that the virus is spreading, houses of worship are cutting back on activities that require close contact.
In Miami and Austin, Texas, Roman Catholic officials have cut off serving communion wine, and many others are considering doing the same.
In the Diocese of Dallas, officials are assuring parishioners that “it’s not a sin” to miss Mass if you’re sick.
The Dallas diocese also is asking parishioners not to be offended if people don’t want to shake hands during “the sign of peace,” when parishioners traditionally greet one another. It’s suggesting a slight bow of the head as a substitute.
Catholic Bill Spain, who visited St. Anthony Shrine in downtown Boston on Thursday, said he wasn’t fazed by the various precautions his church could take. He said that he won’t stop taking communion, or dipping his hand in holy water, but that if he can’t shake hands at Mass for a while, so be it.
“So for one week we can just nod. I think that’s great,” said Spain, 71. “I’m still going to kiss my wife, so there’s no problem with us.”
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