A BISHOP yesterday advised churches not to use holy water in a bid to halt the spread of swine flu.
Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev John Gladwin, has advised members of his diocese to spruce 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 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.”
He said the use of holy water should not be reinstated until the pandemic is over, and added that priests should advise members of their congregation who have flu-like symptoms to stay at home.
