The Church previously issued a statement to clarify it was not banning gluten-free bread or non-alcoholic communion wine.

Holy Communion, a central sacrament in the Christian faith, involves offering bread and wine to the congregation, symbolizing the body and blood of Christ.

The U.K. bishops’ announcement comes after COVID-19 transmission concerns caused a three-year hiatus in the use of the chalice to distribute Communion.

A woman drinks from the chalice during Communion at Sacred Heart Church in Prescott, Ariz., on Dec. 10, 2023. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller) ...

NON-ALCOHOLIC wine cannot be used in Holy Communion, the Church of England’s governing body has ruled. Gluten-free bread has also been barred, says the General Synod, its “parliament”, which ...

Anger at ‘injustice’ of church decision . The Church of England has ruled that non-alcoholic wine and gluten-free bread cannot be used during Holy Communion.