There is a curious ruling this week from the Vatican after Cardinal Robert Sarah informed bishops that the Eucharist during must not be gluten-free. It can however use genetically-modified organisms.
The ruling came from Cardinal Robert Sarah of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Sarah stated that the issue was a simple matter of wheat:
“The bread used in the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharistic Sacrifice must be unleavened, purely of wheat, and recently made so that there is no danger of decomposition. It follows therefore that bread made from another substance, even if it is grain, or if it is mixed with another substance different from wheat to such an extent that it would not commonly be considered wheat bread, does not constitute valid matter for confecting the Sacrifice and the Eucharistic Sacrament.”
The communion wafer used in the holy rite of transubstantiation must remain primarily wheat. So to is the purity of the wine which must be “natural, from the fruit of the grape, pure and incorrupt, not mixed with other substances.” ,
Here is the letter: Communion Letter
What is the stance of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod on using wheat and gluten-free Communion wafers as an option for a person in my position?
ANSWER: In the LCMS, we have generally commended the question of gluten-free wafers to the realm of individual pastoral judgment.
In its 1983 report on Theology and Practice of the Lord’s Supper, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) stated the following concerning the element of bread in the Sacrament: “Since the Scriptures are silent on the source of the bread, it may be baked from the flour of wheat, rye, barley, or other grains” (16; emphasis added).
Similarly, Dr. C.F.W. Walther, in his Pastoral Theology, wrote concerning the kind of grain from which the flour for the bread has been prepared: “It is an adiaphoron whether the bread be leavened, whether it be rye, wheat, barley, or oats bread, and whether it have this or that form, so long only as it is baked of grain flour and water.”
Since rice is a grain, it would also seem consistent with this position that bread made from this grain would be permissible.
Nothing here would preclude someone bringing bread to the pastor that is gluten free. However, Lutheran practice would require that the pastor consecrate this bread together with the elements being used in the Communion service. You are encouraged to discuss this with your pastor.
The website celiac.com (under the question “Which Grains are safe, which are not?”) notes that wheat, rye and barley must typically be avoided, but not necessarily oats, corn or rice. You should consult with your doctor as to whether oats, corn, or rice might be acceptable.
https://www.lcms.org/belief-and-practice/faqs/doctrine#lords-supper
Gluten, Shmuten! Coffee is no good than coffee is good, don’t come near my kid with peanuts, lose weight eating only carbs, then it’s only protein. One con after another and we buy right into it. If our food stocks are ever threatened you’ll eat your dog.
Pedophile Priests are not gluten free. There is a solution here. Hang them by the neck until dead. Drop their bodies down the top of an open violent volcano so that they go to Hell. Do not send them to Hell in the handbasket. The Catholic Church is like the Communist Party of The Soviet Union. It is out of sinc. Ask Putin.
In my opinion, the “Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments” has way too much time on its hands.
Most modern wheat varieties barely resemble, genetically-speaking, the varieties that Jesus would have eaten. The gliadin molecules have changed significantly even since the 60s with intense hybridization.
Not exactly pertinent, but interesting nonetheless less: a large percentage of today’s wheat crop is sprayed with glyphosate to gain a larger yield. Glyphosate is apparently useful for more than just wiping out weeds.
Lastly, methinks Jesus would be more welcoming to those who wish to break bread with Him.
Are we absolutely sure that people are allergic to gluten? Perhaps they are really allergic to the poison in the wheat. Nearly all wheat is GMO. that is, the seed is modified and then planted in soil that has been poisoned by Roundup. The plant becomes infused with whatever is in the soil. In this case, the poison. Someone who is sensitive to the poison, or who eats many foods that have been poisoned by the GMO process, is really sensitive to the poison.
Perhaps the Vatican should reconsider. Working with the (imo) this interpretation of Canon Law can make even more people sick. The bread that Christ ate undoubtedly was not GMO.
Think they will reconsider but in the mean time many churches will do their own thing.
“Are we absolutely sure that people are allergic to gluten?”
It can become an allergy, but it can also systemic inflammation. Alessio Fasano has researched the effect of gluten on the body. Upon binding with receptors on the intestine, it causes a release of zonulin, which opens tight junctions between the cells, allowing proteins and bacteria through. This alerts the extensive network of immune cells lining the gut, causing inflammation, and, quite often sensitization to these food proteins.
On a side note, increased zonulin levels in the blood can also affect the tight junctions in the lungs.
Most wheat is not GMO, though there are trials.
Unapproved GMO wheat has been found growing in small amounts in Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/unapproved-genetically-modified-wheat-found-growing-in-washington/
I, too, have concerns about GMOs, but, at present, that is not a problem with wheat. However, the intense hybridization is problematic nonetheless.
There is evidence Bettykath that both are the case.
Sufferers of Coeliac Disease and to a lesser extent Sjögren’s Syndrome are vulnerable to reactions upon consuming gluten. Avoidance is necessary for the former and suggested in the latter. There are other afflictions as well.
The GMO issue with regard to wheat is something not firmly established but it is probable that alteration of the wheat genome is causing adverse conditions in people. But, when coupled with the fact that GMO wheat often includes the association with glyphosate (Roundup) that is where the known pathologies come forward.
The Europeans list glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen” and it is linked to neurological disease such as Parkinson’s. It is almost a certain conclusion that other ailments manifest due to exposure.
I agree the cardinal’s announcement is short sighted. Other churches offer a substitution. The United Methodist Church offers a gluten-free choice at communion for those who wish it.
Exactly what sort of instructions do you expect the Congregation for Divine Worship to issue? Why is this of interest to you?
Apparently the result of transubstantiation does not alter the wafer’s chemical/physical properties. Heresy?
easy way to reduce the number of communicants and expenses for commumion wafers
Stupid.
I am surprised this has become an issue, however I do agree with their logic.
Logic is an interesting word to use.
Dave137 – one thing you learn when you are in the monastery, logic is the basis to much of theology and ritual.
My daughter has celiac disease and now will be unable to receive communion, this is not , I’m sure, what Jesus would want.
Agree,
frankly – I doubt that Jesus was/is worried about gluten free Communion wafers.
She can receive in either form. You haven’t been to Mass in a while, have you?
Gluten- free Vatican diet of wheat & wine doesn’t roll with an isolated Indian tribe in Peru Amazon. These people no nothing of the bible, they can’t read, write & at best can count to 5. What do these people eat? But they are in the news again:
A Mashco Piro camp was located, about 2 days from Puerto Maldonado, Peru & they terrorize locals with bows & arrows on June 24, 2017.
Isolated indigenous peoples appear in the native community of Puerto Nuevo, Peru. Extractable industry stir these wild Indians up. Illegal logging, gold mining, oil exploration & drug trafficking.
The native community Puerto Nuevo, belongs to the Yine people and is settled on the banks of the Stones, two days from the city of Puerto Maldonado, adjacent to the territorial reserve of Madre de Dios. In the place was registered presence of approximately 50 Mashco Piros armed Indians, who sent to the comuneros a score of arrows with the intention of frightening and reducing them. Faced with this event, the protection agents of the native community of Monte Salvado applying the protocols of action and recommendations of the FENAMAD, supported the comuneros safeguarding the physical integrity, health and the life of the people.
Full story & photo of Mashco attack at FENAMAD FB. Click on photo to enlarge. The guy in middle of photo has some kind charcoal substance on body. It’s tree bark used as insect repellant.
http://www.fenamad.com.pe/noticias/pueblos-indigenas-aislados-asoman-en-la-comunidad-nativa-de-puerto-nuevo/
What does this topic have to do with the law?
It’s an important point but I have no idea why it is listed twice.
What does this topic have to do with the law?
This has to do with canon law.
No, it doesn’t. Turley isn’t a canon lawyer. This is another item in his clueless-Washington-haut-bourgeois- contemplates-the-exotics series. One of his more recent entries was his bitch-and-moan that an advertisement pitiching above-ground pools in the Saudi market was modified to include just the father and children and cover their chests.
DSS – I did not say that JT was a canon lawyer, I was responding to the comment above, which said it wasn’t part of law. They are wrong.
Using the twisted logic of the Roman Catholic Church, which I consider a Satanic institution on many various grounds, given I grew up going to Catholic parochial schools, removing gluten from their little Communion wafer to support those on a gluten free diet is UNNATURAL, while at the same time using diabolical genetically modified organisms produced no doubt by another diabolical corporation, Monsanto, is perfectly NATURAL. This is the same kind of twisted logic the Catholic clergy use to rationalize their predatory practices of violating, sexually abusing, fondling, raping, and yes, sex trafficking young prepubescent girls and boys. This is a false church that fell from Grace a long time ago during the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition.
peteranatasia – it is clear you have issues with the Catholic Church, however I also went to parochial school, a Benedictine monastery and two Catholic universities. Not once did i have a priest or nun try to molest me. And no one from Monsanto has tried to molest me.
It is my take that you did not get enough theology in parochial school to decide what is or is not a false church or who fell from grace. You condemn everyone for the actions of very few. It is not logical. It is like saying my car is a piece of crap because I got a flat tire.
“You condemn everyone for the actions of very few.”
Um, sounds like the baseless concept of original sin.
Dave137 – I am an agnostic, so original or unoriginal sin is no longer my problem.
Um, sounds like the baseless concept of original sin.
Nothing baseless about it. All you have to do is look around you.
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body. It not gluten free, but may contain GMO. Warning to people with peanut and nut allergies: This product may have been prepared using utensils used in preparation of peanuts and nuts. Question on nutritional matters: Pray, 24/7.”
Well, I’m glad the Cardinal has his priorities straight!
The cardinal’s specific job is to see to the integrity of the sacraments. These are his priorities. All the trouble in the world does not absolve you of the obligation to do your job, and the same applies to the cardinal.
Using genetically modified ingredients for communion is wrong on several levels. Defiling the Earth to make GMO crops and thereafter bringing the fruits to communion is insulting. God did not give us the Earth to pollute, nor our bodies to lay waste.
You are confused. Gluten free has nothing to do with GMO.
Perhaps it might serve you well to fully read the article.
“It can however use genetically-modified organisms.”
You need to learn about GMO.
I am fully aware of what I write. You were the one that introduced the Gluten free element into my statement when I made no mention of it. But rather than acknowledging your error, you instead go on deflect the matter by claiming that I know nothing of GMOs. If that somehow allows you to maintain your ego fine, whatever. You can have the last word since your word is so monumentally important.
And while we are on the topic maybe this might help you. You present yourself as some form of moderator, that your approval is required as to what I or Professor Turley place onto the blog. You don’t stop there. You criticize all others, certainly of lesser breeding than you, if they allegedly go outside the narrow band of discussion that you seem to want everyone else to constrain themselves. And of course you in another form are so ardent about free speech but don’t like it when others have different methods of explaining it.
Another fact. You might believe that your criticisms of everyone else here is of great significance. But know this. There are over 30,000 subscribers to this blog and a great many more who are casual readers. If you believe that somehow dictating to Professor Turley what kind of content he must provide is accomplishing something you are greatly mistaken.
Continuing to portray yourself as some stellar form of intellect doesn’t help you. Maybe you possess a greater mind than everyone else. But, what is more inglorious; a low-wit who behaves as a fool, or a savant who is equally a fool. I’d say that the former can be pitied, but the latter is doubly pathetic to behold.
And, to your remark of what this article has to do with the law, it’s about Canon Law. Perhaps you should read up on it.
Yup.
Those with gluten problems simply need to find another church. Ask the Lutherans.
Vatican is dealing with Gay orgies and top officials in court over pedophile in Australia, yet take the time to attack the US and have Gluten issues.
Priorities…
Exactly, Spitz!
Exactly stupid.
He’s the prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship. Seeing to the integrity of the sacraments is his specific job. He’s not a police officer for metropolitan Rome nor is he enrolled in the Swiss Guards nor is his assignment addressing disciplinary infractions in and among the clergy. Do you go out and form a posse every time there’s a murder in your town? No, you don’t, because there’s a specialized crew whose job it is to investigate crimes.