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Friday, October 30, 2009

Sanitizers A Fix for Concerns

By Ernest A. Dorko
Albuquerque Chemist
      Regarding “Archdiocese Changes Mass To Avoid Passing of Germs” by Oliver Uyttebrouck, the changes mandated by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe for the Roman Catholic Mass appear to lack any medical basis for avoiding the passing of germs in order to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus.
       Simply touching the pews that have been touched by someone carrying the virus would be just as liable to spread the virus as touching someone or shaking their hand.
       I noticed that there was no exception made for family members showing affection for one another. One of the wonderful mandates of the Vatican II Church Council was to assure that all the members of the congregation, laity as well as the celebrants, were able to take active part in the Roman Catholic liturgy of the Mass — something that had been denied them for centuries.
       If there is actual concern, then the parishes should be encouraged to have hand sanitizers available as the parishioners enter the sanctuary. This would not only eliminate the germs from the worshippers' hands but also would not spread the germs to the pews. The current practice of dipping ones fingers in the holy water font is the vestigial remainer of the actual washing of hands in earlier times. The 21st century equivalent should be the use of hand sanitizers.
       As for not being allowed to take the sacred species under the appearance of wine, this was discussed some 20 years ago when the spread of the AIDs virus first became an issue. Church authorities at that time decided that the alcohol contained in the altar wine would effectively kill any germs, and so we in the church have taken the Communion cup for decades without concern about contracting AIDs.
       One of the wonderful things that we Catholics have been able to do since the decrees of Vatican II have been published and promulgated is to realize that when we come together as a community we can support each other, and we believe from that love and understanding flow the graces that are given to us as we receive the sacred species. I would take exception to calling these sacramental acts “touchy and feely.”
       Since both my wife and I are cancer survivors, the “touchy and feely” aspects of the Mass represent to us the care and concern that our congregation has for us. Can there be any better way of showing the graces that come to us through the psychological and emotional benedictions bestowed on us by our attendance at Mass. We have already taken 80 percent to 90 percent of the risk, just by coming into church.
       We believe that Christ will mitigate our risk as He pours forth the blessings of His Father on us through the intercession of the Holy Spirit.
       

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