In One Kind

With the current coronavirus situation, a number of churches and jurisdictions are switching to Holy Communion in one kind, i. e. via bread only and no wine.  The Archbishops of the Church of England have strongly advised this.  Pusey House is following that advice.  ACNA Archbishop Foley Beach has mandated that for his Diocese of the South and has recommended that as an alternative for ACNA as a whole as has Presiding Bishop Ray Sutton to his Reformed Episcopal Church (REC).

In so doing, Sutton notes:

There is an old understanding in the Church, “To receive in one kind is to receive in both kinds.” That is, theologically speaking we are given to understand the Sacrament of Holy Communion remains a means of grace if received only in one kind. Either element alone conveys what Christ says of the Lord’s Supper, when He says, “This is My Body; This is My Blood.” Clearly the preferred pattern is to receive in both kinds, but the fact is that throughout the history of Christianity some believers have only been able to receive in one kind for physical, personal or medical reasons.

I do not know what my REC parish will do, but I personally am switching to one kind for a while. Now I have not studied this subject in any detail.  But I do know that Sutton is correct and that receiving in one kind is a long standing practice, the normal one in the West in medieval times.  The doctrine of transubstantiation (which I do not hold) has it that the host contains both the body and the blood. As for Real Presence guys such as myself, it would certainly be odd to say one must receive in both kinds to receive Christ.  The Anglican reformers emphasized the importance of the availability of communion in both kinds, but I think even they regarded communion in one kind as still valid.  (Those who have studied this more may feel free to correct me.)

So I think the validity of communion in one kind is good doctrine.  And it is comforting doctrine for those with compromised immune systems, for those who fear drinking alcohol, and during times of contagion.

Now those little Baptist shot cups are another matter. ;)

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By the way, I have seen online that one ACNA parish is suspending services for three weeks. I am in the process of verifying which parish.