A letter from the Archbishops.
My very best wishes to you in this Advent season and my thanks too for your continued service in these challenging times.
You may be aware that the continued inability of communicants during this pandemic to receive in both kinds has been a matter of concern and distress to some. In order to address this the Liturgical Commission has come up with a suggestion – and it is no more than that – as to how this issue might be addressed on a temporary basis. The letter from the Archbishops and accompanying paper attached to this email explain more.
You’ll note that the letter says that allowing what is proposed is at my discretion and I’m certainly happy to give my permission. However – as ever, in this pandemic – I do stress that ‘can’ does not mean ‘must’. The choice is really yours, though, as the letter stresses consultation with the PCC is advised. And the church’s teaching is clear that to receive in one kind is to participate fully in both the body and the blood of Christ.
I do appreciate that to some of you this will appear only to complicate things still further so please do exercise your discretion in what you do with this, and please feel no pressure from me in either direction.
With my thanks again for all you are and do.
+Philip
