Dioceses, parishes change Communion, liturgy practices because of flu

Published: 2003-12-22

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Some Catholic parishes and dioceses have made minor changes in Communion reception and other liturgical practices in the face of indications that this winter's flu season could be the worst in two decades. In a two-page background paper issued to the nation's Catholic bishops Dec. 17, their national Secretariat for Liturgy said any pastor should consult his bishop before introducing changes in the way the liturgy is celebrated. "In some heavily affected locales, bishops have introduced extraordinary measures after seeking the advice of local medical experts," the secretariat said. It added, however, that as of mid-December the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had not indicated any need to introduce "widespread liturgical adaptations for the prevention of the transmission of influenza" on a nationwide basis. On Dec. 22 the latest available CDC weekly report warned against applying "the national baseline to regional level data" because the data on the incidence of flu or flu-like illnesses vary widely from region to region. The liturgy secretariat said it will "continue to closely monitor the situation." It asked diocesan worship offices to pass on information about local conditions and the pastoral response in their dioceses.

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