Catholics in support of Rice Host option for Communion

Fellow Catholics, we need your support to help raise awareness and hopefully change concerning a Canon Law that in effect discriminates those born with food allergies. The Canon Law centers around the requirements of the ingredients of the communion host. According to Canon 925 of 1983 code of Canon Law, all communion hosts must be unleavened bread made of wheat and water no exceptions. However, no where in the Bible does it say of wheat. It only says unleavened bread. Just like today, there were many grains available in Jesus time. We simply do not know if the bread at the last supper was wheat, barley, or another grain. And after all, it was Jesus who said, This is my body which is given up for you. Take this ALL of you and eat it.

Up until a few months ago, our son who has life-threatening allergies to wheat had been receiving a specially manufactured rice host. We were fortunate that our previous parish priest used his pastoral judgment to do what he and we consider to be the right thing and give our son Holy Communion with the rice host.

However, we were recently told by our new parish priests that our nine-year old son can no longer receive his rice host, as according to the Catholic Church a rice host cannot be consecrated (see US Council of Bishops web site). We had to try and explain to our young son why the host was being taken away, which was a tough thing to do, especially when we nor the Church have any good answers.

For background, our son has multiple life-threatening food allergies that cause anaphylaxis (a severe immune system response that causes swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, and leads to death if not treated with epinephrine) on the ingestion of the smallest amount of the allergen, which in this situation is wheat. He does not have an intolerance to wheat nor does he have celiac disease which is an intolerance to gluten. He is allergic to wheat. The Church does offer a low gluten host, but this is not an option for our son as it still contains wheat.

Now, the Church doctrine holds that full communion is the receiving of either the Body (host) or the Precious Blood (wine). So that is the solution that has been offered to us and is what we are doing now. However, only receiving one is not what the disciples did at the last supper. Jesus washed the feet of others, cured lepers, prayed with sinners he welcomed all. Now, our son who deals with his food allergies on a daily basis is being separated out from the Church, the one place he should seek comfort.

I have asked many ordained clergy what they thought Jesus would do, since as simple as that may be, that is how we are called by the Church to live. The ones who would give me a straight answer stated they do believe Jesus would give my son the rice host. In my opinion, that should be the end of the conversation, but the Church is a Church of rules. We found a Bible verse that I wish the Church would keep in mind. It is Mark 7: 5-8, These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.

So, while I believe that it will be difficult to change this law, it has to start somewhere. Food allergies are rising at an alarming rate, so this will affect more and more Catholics. As parents of this wonderful child who has done no wrong, we believe we are being called to bring this conversation to the forefront with the Church. That is why we need your help.

If we are truly a church of the people, let your voices be heard by the clergy who have the power to make rules and/or make exceptions for those who need it. We ask three things:
1. Pray for wisdom in the Church
2. Sign this online petition
3. And, if so moved, write a letter of support for our cause and send to:
Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, 1400 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 USA

I leave you with more words from Jesus in Matthew 19:14 Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Thank you for your time and faithful consideration.