They are prohibiting common alternatives.
The Church of England has reaffirmed that gluten-free bread and non-alcoholic wine cannot be used for communion, after clergy members raised concerns about accessibility for those unable to consume wheat or alcohol. Ahead of the General Synod in London, church leadership clarified that, according to canon law, communion bread must be made from wheat flour, and wine must be fermented grape juice. While gluten can be reduced in wheat flour and alcohol can be partially removed from wine, complete substitutes such as rice or potato flour are not permitted for the Eucharist.
This decision was prompted by a question from Rev. Canon Alice Kemp, who asked whether it was possible to allow gluten-free and alcohol-free elements during communion to avoid excluding individuals with dietary restrictions. Some clergy and congregants unable to consume these elements are currently limited to receiving either bread or wine during communion. Bishop Michael Ipgrave, chair of the liturgical commission, responded by emphasizing that any changes would contradict existing Church principles. He also reassured that receiving communion in only one form is still considered full participation in the sacrament.
Communion, or the Eucharist, is a central Christian practice symbolizing the body and blood of Christ through bread and wine. The Church of England’s decision follows similar rulings from other denominations. The Roman Catholic Church, for example, prohibited gluten-free bread in 2017, though it allows bread made from genetically modified wheat. These rulings highlight differing interpretations of what constitutes valid communion elements.
This discussion comes at a time when the Church of England is grappling with broader issues, including the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in November 2024 over his handling of abuse allegations. The General Synod is the first major meeting since Welby’s departure, and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell will temporarily lead the proceedings. The Church has faced criticism over its handling of safeguarding failures, which has contributed to a decline in public trust, as evidenced by a recent drop in favorability ratings in the UK.
Despite these challenges, the Church of England remains focused on upholding its traditional practices while addressing modern concerns, balancing religious doctrine with the needs of its members.
I do not see why the bread for communion cannot be made with gluten free flour as long at it has no leavening. Wine can be made with nearly all of its alcohol removed and I think it should be okay to use such wine. As long as the wine is made from grapes it would be from the fruit of the vine and it should be within the guidelines of then Bible.