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Gluten-free bread for Holy Communion is toast, says Vatican Gluten-free bread for Holy Communion is toast, says Vatican
(7 months later)
Unleavened bread used for communion during Catholic masses can be genetically modified but not entirely gluten-free, church rules
Guardian staff and agencies
Sun 9 Jul 2017 01.09 BST
Last modified on Mon 10 Jul 2017 09.50 BST
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The unleavened bread used to celebrate the holy communion during Catholic masses can be made with genetically modified organisms, the Vatican said Saturday, but they cannot be entirely gluten-free.The unleavened bread used to celebrate the holy communion during Catholic masses can be made with genetically modified organisms, the Vatican said Saturday, but they cannot be entirely gluten-free.
Low-gluten bread is allowed but there must be enough protein in the wheat to make it without additives.Low-gluten bread is allowed but there must be enough protein in the wheat to make it without additives.
Cardinal Robert Sarah of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments said the guidance was needed now that Eucharistic bread and wine can be found in supermarkets and “even over the internet”.Cardinal Robert Sarah of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments said the guidance was needed now that Eucharistic bread and wine can be found in supermarkets and “even over the internet”.
In a letter issued last month, Sarah also reminded bishops that the bread should be made by people “distinguished by their integrity” – and that adding fruit or sugar was a “grave abuse”.In a letter issued last month, Sarah also reminded bishops that the bread should be made by people “distinguished by their integrity” – and that adding fruit or sugar was a “grave abuse”.
“It is altogether forbidden to use wine of doubtful authenticity or provenance,” he added.“It is altogether forbidden to use wine of doubtful authenticity or provenance,” he added.
But for people who cannot tolerate wine the use of mustum, or must, a thick non-fermented grape juice, is considered “valid matter” for the sacrament, which Catholics believe turns the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.But for people who cannot tolerate wine the use of mustum, or must, a thick non-fermented grape juice, is considered “valid matter” for the sacrament, which Catholics believe turns the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.
Through the Eucharistic celebration Christians remember Christ’s sacrifice of himself on the cross. There are 1.2 billion Catholics in the world.Through the Eucharistic celebration Christians remember Christ’s sacrifice of himself on the cross. There are 1.2 billion Catholics in the world.
Agence France-Presse contributed to this reportAgence France-Presse contributed to this report
Vatican
Catholicism
Italy
Religion
Christianity
Europe
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