Catholic Transcript Online

“The faithful should be encouraged to share the sign of peace without physical contact,” the letter says. “A smile, a wave or a nod of the head would be appropriate.

“Communion should preferably be given only under the species of the consecrated host, and communicants should be encouraged to receive in their hands rather than on the tongue,” it goes on.

It also says that the faithful should not be encouraged to hold hands during the Our Father; and that priests, deacons and extraordinary ministers of holy Communion should wash their hands before and after distribution.

People with Celiac disease who can receive Communion only from a cup “should be allowed to decide for themselves whether to receive from the cup despite potential health risks,” the letter says.

As to faith formation and Catholic schools, the Archbishop's letter advises that directives from the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools and Office of Religious Education be implemented, and that measures recommended by state and local schools be followed. The letter says that the safeguards are temporary precautions.

It goes on to give directives for employees of the Archdiocese that are suggested by the Government Pandemic Flu Response Team (www.pandemicflu.gov), including recommendations to stay home when ill, wash hands often, and protect employees who are at higher risk of complications from the flu..

"If future conditions suggest that more stringent health measures  need be taken, I will supplement these guidelines," Archbishop Mansell writes. "The overarching principles to be observed in confronting this situation are an awareness of the serious health risks that the H1N1 virus presents and a pastoral sensitivity to the spiritual well-being of the faithful, particularly their access to the sacraments.