The Canadian Celiac Association thinks the Roman Catholic Church has to change its ways: however, the Church says that it cannot make a gluten free communion host because canon law dictates what can be considered bread.

If it’s not bread, then it cannot be consecrated in the Mass as the body of Christ.

This poses a problem for Catholics who are celiac sprue sufferers. If you have celiac disease, it means that the surface of the small intestine - the critical area for absorbing nutrients from food - is damaged by exposure to gluten. Gluten is a type of protein that is found in a number of grains, including wheat, rye and barley.

As many as 1 in 133 people may have the disease.

Even trace amounts of gluten can cause a problem for people with celiac disease. Many experts believe that there is no safe level of exposure. As a result, some celiac sufferers are asking for a no-gluten host.

Father Eric Dunn, Chancellor of the Diocese of Charlottetown, says that canon law prohibits a no-gluten host, but that a low gluten host is available. The low-gluten wafer is made with 0.01 per cent wheat, which allows the church to consecrate it as bread.

The other option for parishioners who must avoid gluten due to either allergies or celiac is to drink from the chalice and avoid the host.

Father Dunn says that the only way a no-gluten host would be allowed is if there is a change in the canon law that governs what makes an acceptable communion host.

Source: CBC News