Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church holds communion, also known as the Eucharist, at every mass to commemorate Jesus' Last Supper. Catholics receive bread and wine, believing that they are receiving the literal body and blood of Christ. However, this poses a problem for those who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where gluten can cause damage to the small intestine. The Catholic Church has stated that communion wafers must contain wheat and, therefore, gluten. This has sparked concerns and discussions about whether the bread could be replaced with something else, like rice. While there is no gluten-free option, the Church has approved the use of low-gluten wafers, which are considered valid for communion. These wafers contain a negligible amount of gluten, and are seen as a safe option for those with celiac disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic communion wafers contain gluten | Yes |
| Gluten-free wafers | Not allowed |
| Low-gluten wafers | Allowed |
| Reason for gluten-free wafers not being allowed | Catholic Church believes wafers made from grains other than wheat are not "pure" |
| Reason for allowing low-gluten wafers | To accommodate the needs of those with Celiac Disease and wheat allergies |
| Amount of gluten in a low-gluten wafer | 0.0019 milligrams, 100 parts per million, 37 micrograms |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's stance on gluten-free wafers
The Catholic Church holds communion, also known as the Eucharist, at every mass as a recognition of Jesus' Last Supper. Catholics receive bread and wine, believing that they are receiving the literal body and blood of Christ.
However, the Church does accommodate those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity by allowing the use of low-gluten wafers. These wafers are made with wheat starch and water and contain a negligible amount of gluten, considered safe for most people with celiac disease. The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration produce such low-gluten wafers, which are approved by the Catholic Church.
While some have expressed concerns over the Church's stance, it is important to note that the Church strives to remain unified while accommodating cultural norms and dietary needs worldwide. The use of low-gluten wafers is one way the Church tries to balance tradition and inclusion.
For those with celiac disease who are still concerned about consuming even low-gluten wafers, the option to partake only of the wine, from a separate chalice, is also available.
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The amount of gluten in low-gluten wafers
The Catholic Church holds communion, also known as the Eucharist, at every mass to commemorate Jesus' Last Supper. During the communion, Catholics receive bread and wine, which they believe to be the literal body and blood of Christ.
The Church has maintained that the bread and wafers used in communion must contain at least some gluten, specifically wheat, as Christ is believed to inhabit pure substances alone. This has posed a challenge for Catholics with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where gluten causes damage to the small intestine.
In response to this issue, the Church has approved the use of "low-gluten" communion wafers, which are considered valid for the celebration of the Eucharist. These wafers are made by the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and are specifically intended for those with celiac disease. The amount of gluten in these wafers is approximately 0.0019 milligrams, or 37 micrograms, which is equivalent to 0.0000075 of a teaspoon. This amount is significantly lower than the threshold declared by researchers to be safe for consumption.
While the use of low-gluten wafers provides an option for those with gluten sensitivities, it is important to note that some individuals with celiac disease may still experience negative effects, even with the negligible amount of gluten present in these wafers. As a result, Catholics with celiac disease must make a personal decision about whether to consume the low-gluten hosts to receive communion. Some parishes have taken steps to accommodate their celiac and gluten-sensitive parishioners, such as offering wine from a separate chalice for those who cannot consume the wafer.
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Pope Francis' views on gluten-free wafers
In 2017, Pope Francis issued a letter to bishops and priests worldwide, reminding them that communion wafers must contain gluten. The letter was a response to the increasing availability of gluten-free bread and the rising popularity of gluten-free diets, with an estimated 2.7 million Americans avoiding gluten at the time. The Pope's letter reaffirmed the Catholic Church's stance that "hosts that are completely gluten-free are invalid matter for the celebration of the Eucharist".
The letter, written by Cardinal Robert Sarah on behalf of the Pope, stated that the bread used for communion must be made purely of wheat and recently made so that there is no danger of decomposition. It specified that low-gluten hosts are valid, provided they contain sufficient gluten to be considered bread and do not contain foreign materials or undergo processes that alter the nature of bread. This decision was made to accommodate those with celiac disease, who can suffer intestinal damage from consuming gluten, while still upholding the traditional belief that the wafer must be made of pure ingredients to represent Christ's purity.
The Vatican-approved low-gluten wafers typically contain just a trace amount of gluten, with some containing as little as 0.001% gluten, an amount deemed safe for most celiac sufferers. These wafers are produced by religious groups such as the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and secular companies like Cavanagh Altar Bread. While the low-gluten wafers are more expensive, they provide an option for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance to fully participate in the sacrament while upholding the traditional beliefs of the Catholic Church.
The Pope's letter drew attention from media outlets worldwide, with some interpreting it as a new directive. However, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops clarified that the guidelines allowed the use of low-gluten wafers and that nothing had changed in American Catholic churches. This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing tradition and accommodation within the Catholic Church, especially as dietary needs and preferences evolve globally.
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The use of alternative grains for communion wafers
The Catholic Church holds communion, also called the Eucharist, at every mass as a recognition of Jesus' Last Supper. Catholics receive bread and wine, believing that they are receiving the literal body and blood of Christ.
The communion wafers are unleavened bread, with no yeast. They are made from very pure wheat flour and water. The Catholic Church believes that the wafer must contain gluten as it literally becomes the body of Christ after it has been consecrated. The use of grains other than wheat is not considered "pure" and will degrade easily.
However, the Church has allowed the use of low gluten communion wafers, which are considered valid. These wafers are made with wheat starch and water, and the amount of gluten in one wafer is negligible. The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration make these wafers specifically for those with Celiac Disease.
Some have suggested that the bread could be made from alternative grains, such as rice, especially in regions where bread is not a staple food. However, the Catholic Church has not approved the use of these alternative grains for communion wafers. The Church's stance is that the wafer must contain wheat for it to be considered pure and without defect, as Christ is believed to be pure.
While the Church has not approved gluten-free wafers, it has taken steps to accommodate those with Celiac Disease and wheat allergies. Some parishes offer low-gluten hosts, and those with Celiac Disease can also choose to partake of the wine only, from a separate chalice.
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The impact of cultural norms on communion practices
The Catholic Church holds communion, or the Eucharist, at every mass as a recognition of Jesus' Last Supper. Catholics receive bread and wine, believing that they are receiving the literal body and blood of Christ. The bread and wine are believed to be transubstantiated, or changed into, the body and blood of Jesus once they are blessed.
The Catholic Church has strict guidelines on the type of bread and wine that can be used for communion. According to Catholic doctrine, the communion wafer must contain wheat and, therefore, gluten. The Vatican has issued letters reiterating this doctrine, stating that gluten-free wafers cannot be used for the Eucharist. This has sparked concerns for those who follow gluten-free diets, including people with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where gluten can cause damage to the small intestine.
However, the Catholic Church has made some accommodations for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. Some parishes offer low-gluten wafers, which are made with wheat starch and water and contain a negligible amount of gluten. These wafers are considered valid by the Catholic Church and are distributed separately from typical wheat hosts to prevent cross-contact. Additionally, those with celiac disease can choose to partake only of the wine during communion.
The use of low-gluten wafers and the accommodation of those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities reflect the Catholic Church's efforts to adapt its practices to cultural norms while maintaining unity across its global community. The Church has long wrestled with how to balance unity and adaptation, especially in regions where bread is not a daily staple and other mediums may be more culturally appropriate for communion. For example, some churches in Asia have suggested that rice wafers may be a more powerful symbol than bread.
While the Catholic Church upholds the doctrine that communion wafers must contain wheat and gluten, it also strives to accommodate the needs of its diverse congregation. The use of low-gluten wafers and alternative options for those with celiac disease demonstrate the Church's attempt to remain unified while also adapting to cultural norms and dietary restrictions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholic communion wafers contain gluten as they are made from wheat. The Catholic Church believes that wafers made from grains other than wheat are not "pure".
Yes, Catholics with coeliac disease can receive communion by consuming low-gluten hosts. These wafers are considered valid by the Catholic Church. However, those with coeliac disease can also choose to partake of the wine only.
A low-gluten communion wafer contains approximately 100 parts per million of gluten, which is over the level to qualify for a gluten-free claim. However, the total amount of gluten in one wafer is 0.0000075 of a teaspoon, which is 267% less than the threshold declared by researchers to be safe.
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