Pierre Whalon

Holy Communion in Contagious Times

Preaching & Worship

“When the pandemic led to lockdowns and the prohibition of in-person worship services, the Ecclesiology Committee of the Episcopal Church House of Bishops which I chair took up the question of online celebrations of the eucharist. In a paper that I wrote, I was adamant that consecration of elements online is impossible. I became intrigued, however, by Richard Burridge’s insistence that the question not be purely theoretical, but needed a thorough study, including a ‘Zoom communion’ group that I joined. Though I do not celebrate or communicate, I have come to think that, under strict guidelines and only during real emergencies, an online eucharist can be celebrated faithfully. The church’s newest mission field is cyberspace, and Richard Burridge’s book is a guide to its geography.”