If gluten intolerance is stopping you from taking communion at mass, you no longer have any excuse.
Catholics all over Ireland can now opt for the gluten-free version of the Body of Christ, after priests decided to introduce an alternative wafer.
The bread distributed at mass, which Catholics believe is transformed into the Body of Christ, is usually made only of wheat and water, meaning people who are intolerant to gluten, such as coeliacs, could not partake in the traditional sense.
Up until now, coeliacs were encouraged to drink the communion wine instead or provide their own host, or wafers, which would be consecrated by the local priest before the service.
According to the Coeliac Society of Ireland, German company Franz Hoch is producing hosts using only Codex Alimentarius quality wheat starch and water – and they have official Church approval. Importantly for coeliacs, they have been approved by the scientific committee of the Italian Coeliac Society and also by the Coeliac Society of Ireland.
Dalkey priest Fr Patrick Devitt told the Irish Sunday Mirror:
“A lot of the parishioners would ask now for gluten-free. It’s been going on now for some time.
“I don’t know when it started, to be quite honest with you, but certainly there have been a few people using gluten-free hosts here in this parish alright.”
Do you think they’ll introduce a wholegrain option? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.
