Is this a mortal sin

[Mozina37]

When I arrived at the nursing home yesterday, I was greeted by a sign, “Widespread illness. We encourage you to visit later.” I left, met a friend, had coffee and conversation before I returned the 7 Eucharists to the church. I was told,“It is a MORTAL sin to delay returning the Eucharist to the Church.” Is it a mortal sin? A genial sin? Where can I find that documentation?

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Yes, the hosts should have been returned to the Church directly. Secular errands, like coffee and conversation, while carrying the Eucharist are not appropriate. No, it is not a mortal sin if you had no malicious intent. If you were not trained and did not know any better, it was not a sin at all.

 

[TheDoctor]

When I arrived at the nursing home yesterday, I was greeted by a sign, “Widespread illness. We encourage you to visit later.” I left, met a friend, had coffee and conversation before I returned the 7 Eucharists to the church. I was told,“It is a MORTAL sin to delay returning the Eucharist to the Church.” Is it a mortal sin? A genial sin? Where can I find that documentation?

Hi Mozina and welcome to the forums.

Paul hit it on the head - the Eucharist should be taken the Tabernacle to the sick/homebound directly and then expeditiously back to the Tabernacle if any are left over (I am pretty sure you can also consume any left over hosts if you cannot get back to the Tabernacle but someone will need to check me on that).

In any event, remember that you cannot fall into Mortal Sin by accident and since you did not know and did not treat the Eucharist with an outward disrespect, if there is any sin it is venial at best.

You should talk about this to your Pastor so that he can remind other EMHC who also may not know. This should have been something covered in your EMHC training.

And lest I forget, thank you for opening your heart and bringing peace, courage, strength and love in the form of the Eucharist to those who cannot come to Church. I know that your Work of Mercy is seen by our Lord. Don’t let this trouble you.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Since the wording was “encourage,” and not strictly forbidding a visit - and given the nature of the call, being of a religious nature and not a social visit, I would probably have checked with the administration to gauge the risks in, and their thoughts concerning, distributing Communion. Of course, there is also the question of risks to oneself.