Nod instead of shaking hands in church

At the Church of Nativity Diego Martin, St Anthony’s Church Petit Valley, and St Augustine, in Cameron, the congregation was advised that with immediate effect and until further notice, the congregation should not hold hands during the Our Father and not shake hands during the sign of peace. The congregation was advised to use “some other form of greeting instead”. The practice of giving holy communion on the tongue was discontinued and they would receive the Holy Eucharist in the hand in the prescribed manner.

St Finbar’s Church in Morne Coco has also adopted a policy of no handshaking. Not all churches have instituted the no handshaking plan.

The Anglican Church has adopted precautionary measures since Corpus Christi. Responding to a question from Newsday a member of the congregation of the Trinity Cathedral, Port-of-Spain said Bishop Calvin Bess announced on Corpus Christi day at the prison grounds in Arouca that handshaking would be stopped. She said instead of drinking the wine from the cup, the host was dipped in the wine and then distributed.

Two weeks ago Gabaariel Malzaire the Roman Catholic Bishop of Roseau in Dominica announced measures to lessen physical contact between members of the public and prevent the spread of the Influenza A H1N1. As a result handshaking was stopped during the sign of peace and worshippers were asked to “nod your head to the person to whom the sign of peace is given”.