Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on a ban on the Eucharist in a Maryland county:
The Volstead Act, which enforced the 18th Amendment ban on alcohol, allowed for certain exemptions, among them being sacramental wine used by Catholic priests. Howard County Maryland Executive Calvin Ball wants to go beyond Prohibition and ban sacramental wine and the Eucharist.
Part II, section 4, of Executive Order 2020-09 is quite specific. “There shall be no consumption of food or beverage of any kind before, during, or after religious services, including food or beverage that would typically be consumed as part of a religious service.”
The Archdiocese of Baltimore plans to observe social distancing and is discouraging Holy Communion on the tongue, but is not in agreement with this executive order.
This is an issue of monumental importance, one that should trigger a strong response from Catholics no matter where they live. Howard County spokesman Scott Peterson said they are open to receiving feedback regarding the executive order; Phase 1 has not yet been fully implemented.
Contact: speterson@howardcountymd.gov
