CHELMSFORD Cathedral is leading the way in helping to fight the spead of swine flu.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev John Gladwin, has issued strict guidelines to churches in the diocese covering pastoral visits and Holy Communion.

The Dean of the Cathedral the Very Rev Peter Judd has said he will be following the advice given by the Bishop.

As swine flu cases continue to rise nationally , the Bishop has issued seven measures that he is urging the clergy to follow.

He is “strongly discouraging” the practice of dipping the bread in the wine and giving communion directly on to the tongue.

Stringent hygiene measures for use with the chalice is recommended In some churches there is a stoup for holy water near to the entrance and people are invited to dip a finger in this and make the sign of the cross as a reminder of their baptism.

The Bishop has urged that this should be suspended and the stoups emptied and cleaned and not used until the pandemic alert is over.

He has stressed it should be “business as normal.”

But hygiene in church should continue to be taken very seriously.

Pastoral visits and home communion for people who have been infected with the virus is also discouraged as says the Bishop “the risk of infection is very high and a priest making a series of pastoral visits could spread infection as well as being susceptible to becoming infected.”

When a pastoral visit is absolutely necessary because the person may be close to death - then the priest should wear protective clothing such as sterile gloves, apron and face mask.

Bishop John said: “ It is not out intention at this stage to cause panic or to exaggerate the seriousness of the situation. The measures will assist the churhces in providing appropriate support in our congrgations and parishes whilse doing all that we are reasonably able to, to combat the spread of the infection.”