Lincoln Cathedral will change the way communion is taken starting this weekend due to growing fears about the Coronavirus.
The virus, which is now classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, has 596 confirmed cases in the UK, with 10 deaths.
Lincolnshire is yet to be seriously affected, with only 3 current cases across the county, but it is still recommended that residents take extra care so as not to spread the virus.
The cathedral will no longer be offering wine from the communion cup, and ask members not to shake hands during the peace, in order to avoid unwittingly transmitting the disease.
In an official statement, the cathedral said: “We believe that it is better to be over-cautious, and wish to take every precaution to protect the diverse range of people who come through the Cathedral’s doors.”
“Theologically, the church believes that Christ is fully present in the bread and in the wine and nothing is lacking in either – the doctrine of concomitance – and that communion in one kind is fully valid.”
The Church of England are urging people to follow their official coronavirus guidelines.
Click on the images above to find a list of DOs and DON’Ts about the new cathedral communion.
