Flu outbreak prompts parish to suspend use of shared Communion cup

Published: 2003-12-15

GALLUP, N.M. (CNS) -- A flu outbreak that has resulted in more than a dozen deaths in the Southwest has prompted the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Gallup to suspend indefinitely the use of the shared Communion cup during the liturgy. A parishioner alerted Father Lawrence O'Keefe, cathedral rector, to concerns about sharing the cup for consecrated wine given the spread of the flu. Because of recent deaths and increasing reports of the flu, Father O'Keefe decided to consult a local physician. "When Father called me, I told him I didn't think it would be a bad idea discontinuing the sharing of the wine chalice indefinitely," said Dr. David C. McKenzie, who was just getting over a severe case of the flu when the priest called for his advice. Sacred Heart Cathedral implemented McKenzie's recommendation Dec. 2.

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