Bishops urged to wash their hands
THE Irish Catholic hierarchy has urged priests and lay ministers to wash their hands and use alcohol gels before and after distributing Communion to avoid spreading swine flu.
The bishops yesterday decided that the Sign of Peace can be continued but that parishioners fearful of contracting swine flu could opt to bow rather than shaking hands.
During a three-day meeting at Maynooth, the bishops were given information on preventing an outbreak of the virus in churches by Dr Mairin Boland, a public health consultant with the HSE.
The bishops agreed that all guidance from public health authorities should be followed carefully in the interests of public health.
- John Cooney
Irish Independent
