Swine flu fears have spurred the Church of England to revive a rule drawn up during the bubonic plague more than 450 years ago, says the Financial Times. Amid rising concern about the spread of swine flu, some Anglican churches are allowing “intinction” or dipping bread in communion wine rather than sharing the chalice, while others have stopped offering wine altogether.

Other reforms:

*parishioners asked to hug rather than shake hands as a “sign of the peace”

*discouraging use of shared holy water stoops to dip fingers and make the sign of the cross.

*some Catholic priests now passing bread into worshippers’ hands rather than onto the tongue.