A
Andrewlucien
Guest
Hi,
I am a Eucharistic Minister at a NYC hospital. I go once a week on Saturday mornings. I usually walk with the chaplain of the hospital: I carry the Pyx and he usually does the anointing and blessings of last rites. When we visit a patient, or a room filled with patients, some people who aren’t on our “Catholic list” ask for Communion as well. I usually ask them if they are Catholic to make sure. If they say they are in fact Catholic I’ll administer the sacrament and add them to my list for next time.
The priest however insists that I stop asking if they are Catholic and that I should administer the Body of Christ regardless. His reasoning is that in the hospital people can be very close to death and that if they are inviting Christ into their lives and asking for his salvation, we shouldn’t turn them down from this gift.
One encounter in particular made me uneasy about this. While in a busy room filled with patients, a woman specifically mentioned that she was Baptist to the priest and asked if she could receive Communion. I heard her say this while administering to others in their respective beds close by, yet the priest called me over and quickly demanded that I offer her the Eucharist. I hesitated, but eventually gave her Communion.
Ten minutes or so afterwards I voiced my unease. He repeated his mantra about not shunning those that call for Christ. He said that she was demanding Christ and we can’t turn her away.
Have I committed sin? Should I tell the head Reverend in the parish where this priest resides about his philosophy? I don’t want to use the “I was just following orders” defense, but I wasn’t sure what to do. Please help.
Thanks.
I am a Eucharistic Minister at a NYC hospital. I go once a week on Saturday mornings. I usually walk with the chaplain of the hospital: I carry the Pyx and he usually does the anointing and blessings of last rites. When we visit a patient, or a room filled with patients, some people who aren’t on our “Catholic list” ask for Communion as well. I usually ask them if they are Catholic to make sure. If they say they are in fact Catholic I’ll administer the sacrament and add them to my list for next time.
The priest however insists that I stop asking if they are Catholic and that I should administer the Body of Christ regardless. His reasoning is that in the hospital people can be very close to death and that if they are inviting Christ into their lives and asking for his salvation, we shouldn’t turn them down from this gift.
One encounter in particular made me uneasy about this. While in a busy room filled with patients, a woman specifically mentioned that she was Baptist to the priest and asked if she could receive Communion. I heard her say this while administering to others in their respective beds close by, yet the priest called me over and quickly demanded that I offer her the Eucharist. I hesitated, but eventually gave her Communion.
Ten minutes or so afterwards I voiced my unease. He repeated his mantra about not shunning those that call for Christ. He said that she was demanding Christ and we can’t turn her away.
Have I committed sin? Should I tell the head Reverend in the parish where this priest resides about his philosophy? I don’t want to use the “I was just following orders” defense, but I wasn’t sure what to do. Please help.
Thanks.