PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland is preparing to lift health protocols it instituted for Maine churches to prevent the spread of swine flu.

Spokeswoman Sue Bernard says the usual norms will be in place for Palm Sunday services on March 27 and 28. Those include shared wine and hand shakes during the “passing of the peace.”

Current protocols discourage hand shakes and eliminate sharing of consecrated wine. Guidelines also require parishioners to receive bread during Holy Communion in the hand rather than on the tongue. Those guidelines have been in effect since November.

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