And how are we sure that communion was the way these folks contracted the virus from the bishop? If it’s merely unwashed hands, wouldn’t shaking hands (after mass) be more likely the culprit?
I feel like this is being made into a communion issue when it shouldn’t.
If this virus is transmitted through unwashed hands, then the obvious solution would be to wash your hands before giving out communion.
A step I would almost automatically presume would be the case. I just would naturally have guessed that the priest did this anyway, as a matter of procedure or courtesy.
Or reverence for what he would consider the sanctity of what he was about to do. What priest would consider consecrating the host with unwashed hands?
If I read the article correctly, no one has actually contracted the virus except the bishop himself:
The North Dakota Department of Health has found that the Catholic bishop John Folda, exposed several parishioners to Hepatitis A in late September and early October through communion, which he administered after he unknowingly contracted the virus from contaminated food he consumed at a conference held for the newly ordained bishops in Italy last month.If it’s merely unwashed hands, wouldn’t shaking hands (after mass) be more likely the culprit? I feel like this is being made into a communion issue when it shouldn’t.
I suppose that's possible. Many on the Catholic Caucus thread Oh My Gosh! A Second American Bishop Has Contracted Hepatitis A! [Comm. in Hand] used the occasion to debate "communion on the hand" vs "communion on the tongue". You might find that thread interesting.