Celiac Disease and the reception of Holy Communion

From time to time the Liturgy Office receives inquiries about the necessity of using wheat flour for the host in the celebration of the Eucharist.  This particular concern reflects the growing recognition of a very serious disorder called Celiac disease. Celiac disease results in a harmful intestinal reaction to the gliadin in the gluten in wheat and other grains. The gluten in wheat flour is a protein complex that functions to bind the bread as it is made.  Gluten must not be ingested by persons with the disease because serious damage to the digestive system may result.  Some other grains, such as rice, do not pose this danger.

Based on the seriousness of this disease it is understandable why people might question the Church's teaching on the necessity of using only wheat bread for the Eucharist.  Is this not simply a man-made rule that can be set aside for the pastoral needs of those who suffer this disorder?  Unfortunately, it is not that simple.  The Church's use of wheat for the eucharistic bread has roots deep in the Church's tradition both east and west. 

The tradition begins with Jesus who at the last supper used wheat bread and wine made from grapes.  He gave his command: "do this in memory of me."  The Church has kept this command ever since as she has celebrated the Eucharist and, like Christ, has only used wheat bread and grape wine.  The Church teaching has consistently been that it has no authority to change what Christ instituted.  Although it is not possible here to give a full scriptural and historical examination of this practice, the Church believes that the use of bread made of wheat is of divine origins.

One is then left with the question of how to address this serious problem of people with Celiac disease.  Gluten is naturally present in wheat flour and a principal binding agent in the formation of true bread. And, a host without some amount of gluten present is not considered valid matter for the eucharist. What can be done for those with Celiac?  The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has given approval for the use of low-gluten hosts, and a low-gluten host has been developed by the Congregation of Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.  The host is made from gelatinized wheat starch. The Sisters report the hosts test to a level of 0.01% gluten. At that level, the lowest that could be tested, no gluten was detected. This means that there is less than 0.01% gluten in one of these hosts. The Secretariat for the Liturgy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has stated that these hosts meet the requirements of the Code of Canon Law (924 §2) and may be validly used at the celebration of the Eucharist.  The valid use of these hosts has been attested to by the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy in their November 2003 Newsletter.

The use of low-gluten hosts is restricted to individuals who have a medical need as dictated by a diagnosis of Celiac disease by a physician, and have been granted permission to use them.   Parishioners who desire to receive such permission should contact Andrew Meinen, Director of Liturgy, at ameinen@saintcecilia.org.  Additionally, it always remains possible for those who suffer from the disorder to receive only from the cup, when it is available.  Our theology teaches us that we receive in one element of the Eucharist what we receive wholly and completely in the other.  In either species of the Eucharist we receive the whole Christ, in his Body and Blood, soul and divinity.