Calgary Bishop Fred Henry.  Photo: CBC.ca

Catholic Bishop for Calgary, Bishop Fred Henry, recently announced some extreme precautions to combat the H1N1 threat in Calgary area parishes.  In addition to suspending the age-old practice of taking communion on the tongue, Bishop Henry suggested all local parishes stop using the communal Holy Water fonts in an effort to stem the spread of the disease.

From a health perspective, all these precautions may make some modicum of sense.  But from a religious perspective, I wonder what the message is?  God can bless the Holy water, but he can't disinfect?  Just what message does it send that God is blessing potentially diseased water?

Listen, I don't mean to pass judgement ... I'm down with Jesus on that part of things.  But seriously folks ... if the water blessed by God is killing you, don't you think that MIGHT just be a sign?