Bishop advises against holy water to halt spread of swine flu

A set of guidelines has been emailed to clergy in the Diocese of Chelmsford advising them to empty their holy water stoups until the swine flu pandemic is over.

Some churches have a stoup for holy water where visitors can dip their finger and make a sign of the cross as they enter.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev John Gladwin, said the stoups should be emptied for the timebeing and cleaned thoroughly.

"The water contained in stoups can easily become a source of infection and a means of rapidly spreading the virus," he said.

During communion, churches are being "strongly discouraged" from dipping bread in wine and giving communion directly on the tongue.

Those who are infected with swine flu are being asked not to attend church services or meetings, while clergy are being advised against making pastoral visits to anyone with swine flu.

"Contact by telephone, internet, or other means is to be encouraged!" he said.

The bishop added: "It is not our intention at this stage to cause panic, or to exaggerate the seriousness of the situation. The measures outlined above will assist the churches in providing appropriate support in our congregations and parishes, whilst doing all that we are reasonably able to, to combat the spread of
the infection."