Denial of Holy Communion

[BobP123]

Good question about Clinton. I’d say no, him not being Catholic. (Got out of that one, eh? )

Not really. TV cameras will be all over you. You’d be under extreme pressure to give it to him. Make him look good, I suppose, to all his followers.

Perhaps that’s wrong, and may be unpopular, but personally, I see a benefit in the grace and healing in that sacrament…that which ultimately may lead to her renouncing abortion.

Question: is it still a sacrament when it is used for political purposes or to prove a point or to go because you were told to go? Or is it an abuse of a sacrament?

 

[Light_Seeker]

Not really. TV cameras will be all over you. You’d be under extreme pressure to give it to him. Make him look good, I suppose, to all his followers.

But if the Eucharist was refused, that would be a huge backfired photo-op making the politician look rather foolish, supported by most if not all Catholics worldwide, and joined by many not in the Church that stand for freedom of Religion, separation of church/state, and uncompromising values of faith & morals. Probably end or seriously derail any politician’s campaign.

 

[BobP123]

But if the Eucharist was refused, that would be a huge backfired photo-op making the politician look rather foolish, supported by most if not all Catholics worldwide, and joined by many not in the Church that stand for freedom of Religion, separation of church/state, and uncompromising values of faith & morals. Probably end or seriously derail any politician’s campaign.

Personally I think the correct thing would have been to give BC a blessing instead of communion and move on to the next communicant; however the EMHC is in no position to do that.

 

[lak611]

Personally I think the correct thing would have been to give BC a blessing instead of communion and move on to the next communicant; however the EMHC is in no position to do that.

You are correct. Although, I doubt if he would even get in the EMHC’s line. Going to the priest would be a better “photo-op”.

 

[Light_Seeker]

… a blessing instead of communion and move on to the next communicant; however the EMHC is in no position to do that.

Can an EMHC give a blessing? My youngest (currently in CCE) receives a blessing from our Pastor, the times we received from an EMHC she chose to stay in the seat as a ‘pew-marker’.

 

[lak611]

Can an EMHC give a blessing?

No. EMHC’s cannot give blessings. Depending on the parish, some priests will not give blessings either. My priest does not give blessings in the Communion line. People who do not receive get their blessing (along with everyone else) at the end of Mass.

 

[Light_Seeker]

Thanks Lak!

If u know, where may I find this rubric? Sometimes when I’ve sat at the very front I did notice several EMHCs blessing young children, & wondered about this. Reason I ask, I’m a personal friend of our deacon who trains & coordinates all our EMHC’s. If we are not in compliance, I’m sure he will remind the offenders.

 

[lak611]

Thanks Lak!

If u know, where may I find this rubric? Sometimes when I’ve sat at the very front I did notice several EMHCs blessing young children, & wondered about this. Reason I ask, I’m a personal friend of our deacon who trains & coordinates all our EMHC’s. If we are not in compliance, I’m sure he will remind the offenders.

I found this document. Part of it says this:

Participation in the rite of Communion is for those who receive Communion. Consequently,
non-participants should not be encouraged to be part of the Communion procession to receive
a blessing instead of Communion. Actually, Communion is not something we “receive” but
enter into through interpersonal and mutual self-donation.

 

[Light_Seeker]

Thanks.

Found some other documents, seems like a very fine line. An EMHC may ask for a blessing, but not give a blessing - ie “May the Lord bless you”. The few times I witnessed this, I didn’t hear what was being said, trying to focus on my own of course.

 

[rpp]

Can an EMHC give a blessing? My youngest (currently in CCE) receives a blessing from our Pastor, the times we received from an EMHC she chose to stay in the seat as a ‘pew-marker’.

Yes. Anyone can bless anyone else at any time. Me as a poor lay person can lay hands on our Holy Father and give him a blessing.

 

[puzzleannie]

Here is an article by Archbishop Burke of St. Louis, Missouri.

While it is a bit long, it is very interesting. Even the title is catchy.

The Discipline Regarding the Denial of Holy Communion to Those Obstinately Persevering in Manifest Grave Sin

All text in bold, except the section title, is mine. Italics are in the original.

the portions cited, particularly the last, the obligation binding the minister are to my mind, one of the key reasons why the non-ordained should not be ministers of communion, because this provision calls for a judgement reserved to the one who has custody of the confessional, namely the priest, and calls upon the minister of communion to make a judgement reserved for the priest in confession.

 

[rpp]

the portions cited, particularly the last, the obligation binding the minister are to my mind, one of the key reasons why the non-ordained should not be ministers of communion, because this provision calls for a judgement reserved to the one who has custody of the confessional, namely the priest, and calls upon the minister of communion to make a judgement reserved for the priest in confession.

That is one of the reasons I am no longer an EMoC.

 

[rpp]

Thanks.

Found some other documents, seems like a very fine line. An EMHC may ask for a blessing, but not give a blessing - ie “May the Lord bless you”. The few times I witnessed this, I didn’t hear what was being said, trying to focus on my own of course.

Can you provide those links or citations, please? I would be very interested. This is an issue where there is much confusion and I would like clarity. Giving blessing is very common and encourage in my diocese.

 

[Light_Seeker]

Can you provide those links or citations, please?

Heres a few:
From the Diocese of Davenport :
The question of blessing those not receiving communion: In the past number of years, the practice has
developed in certain places that those not receiving communion—whether children too young to receive
communion, those who are not Catholic, or those unable to approach the Sacrament due to canonical
reasons—to join in the communion procession and receive a blessing from the minister. For those
communities which have elected to follow such a practice, the following should be kept in mind:
o Lay ministers should not bless with a gesture or formula reserved to clerics. For example, they should
not make the sign of the cross over someone while using the Trinitarian formula. A simple “May our
loving God bless you” with or without a light touch of the head would be appropriate (CIC c.1168).

From Fr. J.T. Zuhlsdorf (father_z):
Anything that confuses the roles of lay people and priests (or deacons) should be avoided. While it is true that any person can ask God to bless anyone else, and while it is true that parents should bless their children, lay people cannot bless in the manner of priests. Lay people ought not do anything which resembles blessing in the manner of the priest, such as making the sign of the Cross over people as a priest would do.

A good article from Fr.McNamara can also be found here