Lay mininsters may not cleanse Communion vessels, Pope Benedict says

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ComradeAndrei said:
This is a very positive first step. Hopefully we will be seeing more tightening up of various rubrics and the stamping out of abuses.

I think that “extraordinary” should mean rarely and for only very particular times-not every Sunday. If Communion takes an extra 5 min.-so be it.
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More time for quiet prayer!!👍

And perhaps those who are now standing all this time, will get tired and go back to kneeling or at least re-visit this posture, this sign of unity:thumbsup:
 
Exactly. Nothing wrong with more prayer time. I’ve never liked the idea of the Communion line being some sort of “get 'em in, get 'em out” hustled thing.

Plus, the gaggle of EMHC usually do nothing to expedite the process but rather just confuse and clog up the system.
 
ComradeAndrei said:
Exactly. Nothing wrong with more prayer time. I’ve never liked the idea of the Communion line being some sort of “get 'em in, get 'em out” hustled thing.

Plus, the gaggle of EMHC usually do nothing to expedite the process but rather just confuse and clog up the system.
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:amen:

Plus, I will never again risk some EMHC “throwing” a host into my mouth as though they were trying to shoot a basket when I recieve. Not saying all do, but this has happened more then once in some parishes I visited. Once, the host even fell on the floor! I only recieve from a priest or the only extraordinary minister we have that assists our elderly priest at my home parish. There is always a server with a paten, too.
It is crazy to allow laity purify the vessels. I have seen the priest in some parishes wait until after Mass, but never laity purifying the vessels.
 
This is wonderful news! I love this Pope! Thanks for the article!

BTW, I loved how they defined what an *Instituted Acolyte *was. 😃
 
Good news…but will the Bishops embrace it or ignore it…as they usually do…what are the odds(slim or none) that Cardinal Mahony will say it is not needed and applicable to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles…

I’m a doubting Thomas…

james
 
Just think, the more time it takes to distribute Communion, then the more grace you receive while praying after receiving!!!
 
I don’t understand the reasoning behind this. If the person can distribute the Eucharist, why can’t he clean up?
 
cheese_sdc said:
I don’t understand the reasoning behind this. If the person can distribute the Eucharist, why can’t he clean up?
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Good point. Let’s get rid of the EMHCs (or greatly restrict their use) in the interest of being consistent.
 
cheese_sdc said:
I don’t understand the reasoning behind this. If the person can distribute the Eucharist, why can’t he clean up?
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Maybe Pope Benedict is telling us something here----if they can’t clean up ----why are they distributing Holy Communion.
 
Elzee said:
:eek:!!! And I thought we were the only ones!!
Our priest wipes the edge of the pitcher (yes - he consecrates the wine in a pitcher) and the chalices with his fingers and licks them. For the ciborium - a.k.a. glass plates - he licks his fingers and uses them as a magnet to pick up fragments. I just close my eyes and pray for him. God help us.
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We have gold-plated metal, but still…Ick. And no, you are not alone.
 
John_Lilburne said:
“284. … b. Whatever may remain of the Blood of Christ is consumed at the altar by the priest or the deacon or the duly instituted acolyte who ministered the chalice. The same then purifies, wipes, and arranges the sacred vessels in the usual way.”
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But does it say “licks the dishes and also his fingers”?
 
Walking_Home said:
Maybe Pope Benedict is telling us something here----if they can’t clean up ----why are they distributing Holy Communion.
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:hmmm:

Nope. Still don’t get it. I don’t think we are going to return to the church of 1955 by restricting the use of EM’s.

But maybe you’re right. Maybe this is a move toward more clericalism and less lay involvement in the liturgy. I’m not sure that’s a good thing, but common sense says to “wait and see”.
 
cheese_sdc said:
:hmmm:

Nope. Still don’t get it. I don’t think we are going to return to the church of 1955 by restricting the use of EM’s.

But maybe you’re right. Maybe this is a move toward more clericalism and less lay involvement in the liturgy. I’m not sure that’s a good thing, but common sense says to “wait and see”.
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The use of EMsHC SHOULD be restricted by DEFINITION.
 
Distressed said:
The use of EMsHC SHOULD be restricted by DEFINITION.
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Perhaps, but if you are going to allow the laity to distribute communion, why not let them clean up? I don’t understand the principle behind this decision.

Do the laity not clean up correctly? Why should this action be reserved for the priest?
 
cheese_sdc said:
Perhaps, but if you are going to allow the laity to distribute communion, why not let them clean up? I don’t understand the principle behind this decision.

Do the laity not clean up correctly? Why should this action be reserved for the priest?
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Because the Church says so.

At my parish, no, they don’t.
 
cheese_sdc said:
Perhaps, but if you are going to allow the laity to distribute communion, why not let them clean up? I don’t understand the principle behind this decision.

Do the laity not clean up correctly? Why should this action be reserved for the priest?
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What makes the priest special? The fact that he can absolve sins and he can consecrate the Eucharist. Laymen in the past were never allowed to touch the Host, so why should they clean the vessels that carry it?

I think many posters are getting the point that extra-ordinary ministers have become too “ordinary”. And I think Benedict recognizes that as well.
 
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