'Virtual' Eucharists in a time of COVID-19 pandemic: Biblical, theological and constitutional perspectives

This article examines the possible use of ‘virtual’ Eucharists in the Anglican
Church of Australia in a time of a global pandemic such as exists in the world
in 2020 with the spread of corona virus or covid-19. The changing nature of
modern communication is considered in the context of the possibility of the use
of a ‘virtual’ Eucharist, where a priest in one place with a set of bread and
wine, consecrates the bread and wine, while at the same time a person in their
own home consumes another set of bread and wine with the assumption that
second set of bread and wine is also consecrated. Suggestions for and
discussion of the use of a ‘virtual’ Eucharist in two dioceses of the Anglican
Church of Australia are discussed with a consideration of published material
by episcopal leaders. Biblical, theological and constitutional perspectives are
then considered in relation to a ‘virtual’ Eucharist before the recommendation
is made that ‘virtual’ Eucharist are not considered as appropriate at any time,
including during a global COVID-19 pandemic, in the Anglican Church of
Australia. Several alternatives to a ‘virtual’ Eucharist are considered which
would allow people to obtain spiritual nourishment by other means.