Celiac Disease and Communion Wafers: Risks and Considerations

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Ingesting gluten can trigger an immune response that damages the small intestine and causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, anemia, and other symptoms.

Communion wafers are made from wheat flour and water, and therefore contain gluten. People with celiac disease should not consume communion wafers as it could trigger an immune response and cause symptoms of celiac disease.

However, it is important to note that the amount of gluten in a communion wafer is very small, and may not be enough to cause a reaction in some people with celiac disease. Ultimately, it is up to the individual with celiac disease to decide whether or not to consume communion wafers.