Holy Communion Wine Questionnaire Results
37 returns were received, with preferences as follows:
OPTION 1: NO CHANGE, KEEP COMMUNAL CHALICE 18 VOTES
OPTION 2: CHOICE OF CHALICE OR SINGLE SERVING GLASS 9 VOTES
OPTION 3: SINGLE SERVING GLASS FOR ALL 6 VOTES
OPTION 4: TINCTING THE BREAD WITH WINE 11 VOTES
NB Some returns had more than one option ticked.
Comments received:
OPTION 1:
One body, important to faith
Blood of Christ - too important to change
Fearing contagion - wrong attitude
Just like the one chalice
OPTION 2:
Too time consuming
Hygienic
OPTION 3:
Cost of glasses
Environmental concern ie glass
OPTION 4:
No chalice server needed
Hygienic
CONCLUSION
50% voted to keep the chalice, without change.
Options 2,3 & 4 received 26 votes but 7 of these voters ALSO chose Option 1.
From this we can conclude that at least half of those taking part preferred to select NO CHANGE.
The main objection to the communal chalice seemed to be on hygiene grounds, but see this statement from the National Institute of Health:
“Scientific, medical, and epidemiological studies indicate that the risk of contracting an infection from a shared,, communion cup is extremely low, and often deemed "undetectable". Despite the theoretical potential to transmit illnesses like common colds or cold sores, no documented outbreaks have been definitively traced to the common cup in over two millennia of practice, as the wine's alcohol content and silver vessels provide, disinfectant qualities.”
National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov)
Another study (The 1943 study “Survival of Bacteria on the Silver Communion Cup”)
“Their findings also indicated that the silver chalice has a bactericidal effect and that hygienic practices such as wiping the chalice further reduce the presence of bacteria. Based on their experimental evidence, they concluded silver communion cup is unlikely to play a significant role in spreading infectious diseases…..”
Finally, the 2020 study “COVID-19 and Holy Communion” discussed concerns about the potential transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, through the shared communion cup. Although the theoretical risk of viral transmission exists, they said the “data do not provide any support for the suggestion that the practice of sharing a common communion cup can contribute to the spread.”
Any further questions about these findings, please see Sheila Johnston
37 returns were received, with preferences as follows:
OPTION 1: NO CHANGE, KEEP COMMUNAL CHALICE 18 VOTES
OPTION 2: CHOICE OF CHALICE OR SINGLE SERVING GLASS 9 VOTES
OPTION 3: SINGLE SERVING GLASS FOR ALL 6 VOTES
OPTION 4: TINCTING THE BREAD WITH WINE 11 VOTES
NB Some returns had more than one option ticked.
Comments received:
OPTION 1:
One body, important to faith
Blood of Christ - too important to change
Fearing contagion - wrong attitude
Just like the one chalice
OPTION 2:
Too time consuming
Hygienic
OPTION 3:
Cost of glasses
Environmental concern ie glass
OPTION 4:
No chalice server needed
Hygienic
CONCLUSION
50% voted to keep the chalice, without change.
Options 2,3 & 4 received 26 votes but 7 of these voters ALSO chose Option 1.
From this we can conclude that at least half of those taking part preferred to select NO CHANGE.
The main objection to the communal chalice seemed to be on hygiene grounds, but see this statement from the National Institute of Health:
“Scientific, medical, and epidemiological studies indicate that the risk of contracting an infection from a shared,, communion cup is extremely low, and often deemed "undetectable". Despite the theoretical potential to transmit illnesses like common colds or cold sores, no documented outbreaks have been definitively traced to the common cup in over two millennia of practice, as the wine's alcohol content and silver vessels provide, disinfectant qualities.”
National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov)
Another study (The 1943 study “Survival of Bacteria on the Silver Communion Cup”)
“Their findings also indicated that the silver chalice has a bactericidal effect and that hygienic practices such as wiping the chalice further reduce the presence of bacteria. Based on their experimental evidence, they concluded silver communion cup is unlikely to play a significant role in spreading infectious diseases…..”
Finally, the 2020 study “COVID-19 and Holy Communion” discussed concerns about the potential transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, through the shared communion cup. Although the theoretical risk of viral transmission exists, they said the “data do not provide any support for the suggestion that the practice of sharing a common communion cup can contribute to the spread.”
Any further questions about these findings, please see Sheila Johnston
