Non-Catholics in communion line

[paperwight]

Most of those here are arguing about what they see as the situation in the US, sudy,

Like me, you live in the UK, where giving a blessing in the Communion line has been encouraged by the Board of Cathoiic Bishops since 1974 (or thereabouts).

 

[anon10271182]

I think if the reason for receiving a blessing is not feeling worthy to receive the Eucharist, that’s less likely to occur at the Traditional Latin Mass, since the confessional is generally open before every Mass.

 

[stpurl]

Why is it not all right for me to have a concern? Because you don’t have the same concern? Who are you to decide what is ‘nonsense’, ‘futile’, and to make judgments about me?

 

[stpurl]

Exactly. If the bishop has decided something, wonderful. But in the U.S., most bishops have not, and several have discouraged it.

I think some fail to recognize how important the liturgy is, and are so accustomed over decades to having their bishop, or their priest, make all kinds of legitimate changes or options (which is fine), and go from that to making all kinds of personal changes and options by priests (which is NOT fine) such that automatically the presumption is, "If it isn’t ‘forbidden’, it’s fine, especially if that ‘pastoral’ catchphrase is used.’ We want to be the Church of Welcome.

 

[Gorgias]

The pertinent question would be: is Communion line a rubric?

Of course there’s a rubric for the distribution of the Eucharist! I can think of two places, right off the top of my head: the Roman Missal and the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal). Anything that isn’t there… isn’t part of the Mass.

Or is it where the parish can use its dicretion to decide to allow blessing for those who do not receive?

If the rubrics permitted it, I’d say “yes.” However, they don’t.

Why is that instead of Communion line, at times the priest would go around to the communicants to distribute Communion?

Are you talking about the priest/deacon/EMHC going to the people with mobility issues and distributing to them at or near their seats, rather than force them to make their way to the minister?

Is not Communion line a traditional logistic rather than rubric?

Actually, it is addressed in the rubrics, in a couple of ways:

First, in the GIRM:

1. It is for the Conferences of Bishops to formulate the adaptations indicated in this General Instruction and in the Order of Mass and, once their decisions have been accorded the recognitio of the Apostolic See, to introduce them into the Missal itself. They are such as these:

• the manner of receiving Holy Communion (cf. nos. 160, 283);

In addition, the GIRM specifies the “logistics”:

1. The Priest then takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants, who usually come up in procession.

Notice that it’s “usually” that the people come up in procession, but not required. So, yes – it’s within the rubrics to allow the minister to approach those who have mobility issues.

What is so wrong with receiving blessing?

Nothing… that’s why a blessing is given at the proper time (the end of Mass).

Why do bishops allow this? If it is against the rubric, why does not the Vatican steps in and put a stop to it?

Because the bishop has the right to allow it. I have never seen anything, or heard anyone assert, that their bishop has proclaimed this as a valid option in his diocese. So…

Or are you just thriving in arguing over this?

Nah…

Some people like to argue, some would think this is a hill not worth dying for.

Take your pick.

My personal opinion is that the “hill worth dying over” is the integrity of the Mass. If we’re not allowed to change it arbitrarily and unilaterally, then we’re not allowed to change it. Period. (Even if our desire is to change it out of a desire to be more ‘inclusive’ or ‘welcoming’ or ‘sensitive’.)

So, to my mind, this isn’t about “blessings”, per se, but rather, about changing the Mass in a way we’re not supposed to.

 

[casslean]

Agreed. But, in all this discussion, I haven’t seen one person assert that his bishop has ok’ed the process.

When I was in RCIA, my bishop came to preside over a Mass at our church. Since I ordinarily went forward for a blessing, I asked my pastor before the Mass what to do. He directed me to the Bishop, who enthusiastically encouraged me to do so.

So, yeah, assuming actions speak louder than words, I’d say he was okay with it all.

 

[sewnolivette]

He said what is happening, is the priest or deacon is telling you to basically accept the Lord into your heart, and that is called “spiritual communion.”

That is beautiful! I am not Catholic, but am thinking of converting. I love the idea of a spiritual communion while waiting to receive of the Eucharist.

 

[stpurl]

We have spiritual communion but it isn’t necessary to get up and get in a line to participate. If you ever watch ETWN’s televised Masses, you will hear the voice-over at the time of communion state, "For those who are not able to receive the Eucharist we offer the following prayer, and it specifically mentions, the desire to receive and the request to ‘come into our souls in spiritual communion’.

And it’s a beautiful thing.

 

[Gorgias]

I asked my pastor before the Mass what to do. He directed me to the Bishop, who enthusiastically encouraged me to do so.

So, yeah, assuming actions speak louder than words, I’d say he was okay with it all.

I’m cool with this. Note, though, that when the bishop was present, the priest was wise enough not to make the decision on his own initiative.

When the bishop allows something personally, that’s within his rights. That doesn’t mean that he is likewise allowing it for all his priests, unless he tells them, don’t you think?

 

[casslean]

When the bishop allows something personally, that’s within his rights. That doesn’t mean that he is likewise allowing it for all his priests, unless he tells them, don’t you think?

Are you serious? I certainly hope no bishop leading my diocese adopts a “do as I say, not as I do” approach to leading the flock.

 

[Gorgias]

Are you serious? I certainly hope no bishop leading my diocese adopts a “do as I say, not as I do” approach to leading the flock.

Totally serious. Think about it for a minute:

• A bishop has the authority to give permission for a marriage to take place outside of a church building. A priest does not. (I’d remind you of the example of the couple whom Pope Francis married on a plane not too long ago.)
• A bishop has the authority to decide to allow a non-Catholic Christian to receive the Eucharist in a particular case. A priest does not.

So, yeah… bishops do have the authority to do things, that his priests do not have the authority to do, unless and until the bishop tells them that he’s delegating the right to them.

 

[casslean]

That authority is specifically provided for in the Code of Canon Law and reserved for the bishop, as is the possible delegation of that right. It is not analogous to a bishop undertaking a pastoral action such as providing blessings in the communion line, but telling all of his priests that it is wrong for them to provide the same pastoral care.

 

[Gorgias]

It is not analogous to a bishop undertaking a pastoral action such as providing blessings in the communion line

What you see as “a pastoral action”, I perceive as “changing the Mass”. If a bishop decided it was pastorally prudent to bless non-Catholics after Mass, then I’d agree that this is merely a ‘pastoral action’. When it happens within the context of Mass? Not so much…

 

[casslean]

What you see as “a pastoral action”, I perceive as “changing the Mass”. If a bishop decided it was pastorally prudent to bless non-Catholics after Mass, then I’d agree that this is merely a ‘pastoral action’. When it happens within the context of Mass? Not so much…

What others perceive as a spider, I perceive as a deadly monster that has to be eradicated as quickly as possible.

Perception =/= reality.

 

[casslean]

Also, if you are relying on the GIRM - why would the bishop be any more entitled to change the Mass than anyone else?

 

[Gorgias]

Perception =/= reality.

I agree. And I think your perception in this matter isn’t reflective of canonical reality.

Also, if you are relying on the GIRM - why would the bishop be any more entitled to change the Mass than anyone else?

Good point. It appears to be within the competence of the conference of bishops, not of individual bishops. Thanks for helping point that out!

 

[casslean]

I agree. And I think your perception in this matter isn’t reflective of canonical reality.

Likewise.

Out of curiosity, how do you reconcile the fact that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has endorsed this practice?

I would like to add another practical suggestion. In many countries it has become customary for persons who are not able to receive communion (for example, the members of other confessions) to approach the altar with their hands folded over their chests, making it clear that they are not receiving the sacrament but are asking for a blessing, which is given to them as a sign of the love of Christ and of the Church. This form could certainly be chosen also by persons who are living in a second marriage and therefore are not admitted to the Lord’s table. The fact that this would make possible an intense spiritual communion with the Lord, with his whole Body, with the Church, could be a spiritual experience that would strengthen and help them.

 

[Gorgias]

Gorgias:

I agree. And I think your perception in this matter isn’t reflective of canonical reality.

Likewise.

Out of curiosity, how do you reconcile the fact that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has endorsed this practice?

By noting that he only endorsed it – and, at that, as Pope Emeritus, not as the seated Pontiff – and that he didn’t implement it canonically.

If Pope Francis, or the USCCB instituted it as a legitimate part of the Catholic Mass, I’d be all “woo hoo!”. Until that happens… it’s not a valid part of the liturgy.

 

[Socrates92]

Are you saying that a priest being wrong is always an impossibility? ie: are all parish priests infallible?

 

[BartholomewB]

Thank you for that quote from B16. I didn’t know the question had come under consideration at such a high level. Do you happen to know what document that paragraph was excerpted from? Can it be accessed online?
Thanks.