Flu Brings Handshake Ban At Local Church

Parishioners at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in south Kansas City are being asked not to shake hands as a sign of peace during Mass or drink from the chalice.

KMBC's Kris Ketz reported that this year's cold and flu season is so bad, the church's pastor doesn't want people spreading the bug.

"What do you think the reaction has been among parishioners?" Ketz asked the Rev. Don Farnan.

"Oh, I think it's been mixed," Farnan said.

Ketz reported that Farnan got the idea almost two weeks ago, after a 46-year-old woman died from the flu.

"Well, I think some people are leery of it, you know? If they've been sick, you know, if I had been sick, I would not shake hands and I would not receive the cup," parishioner Mary Elizabeth Heiman said.

Farnan said the idea was not meant to offend. Farnan said a smile, wave or kind word can be used in place of shaking hands.

Ketz reported that no other Catholic churches in the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese are asking parishioners to do the same thing.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• KMBC
• Kansas
• City
• church
• flu
• germs
• handshake