Holy water not that holy after all: UK bishop bans holy water amid swine flu

A bishop in Britain has advised his diocese to ban holy water from churches in a bid to halt the spread of swine flu.

The Bishop of Chelmsford in eastern England has suggested sprucing up hygiene in churches by removing receptacles for water.

"Some churches have a stoup for holy water near the entrance to the church door and people are invited to dip a finger in this and to make the sign of the cross as a reminder of their baptism," the Right Reverend John Gladwin said.

A stoup is a basin or a font for holy water.

"The water contained in stoups can easily become a source of infection and a means of rapidly spreading the virus," he said.

"This practice should be suspended."

In a set of directive sent to priests in the county of Essex that includes Chelmsford, Gladwin said they should advise members of their congregation who have flu-like symptoms to stay at home.

LNK

Holy water not that holy after all: UK bishop bans holy water amid swine flu

Holy water not that holy after all: UK bishop bans holy water amid swine flu

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