our parish priest refuses communion in the tongue...

[mwscott]

I would accomodate myself to the faith of weaker brethren, and receive on the hand.

How is receiving on the hand proof of weaker faith? Are you suggesting that a twenty-year-old, who has received on his or her hand since their first Communion doesn’t believe in the Real Presence, or somehow doesn’t believe “as much” as other Catholics. For that matter, are you suggesting that people who receive on the tongue are better than others? Sure, some people (more than there should be) who receive don’t understand or believe the doctrine but its not our job, or our place to generalize.

I don’t think anyone should be judging the faith of others based on their actions. I admire the faith plenty of people who receive on the hand. If I was half as pious, or loving, or Christ-like as they are I would be happy.

Let’s not judge, lets just discuss the topic at hand.

 

[Brendan]

How is receiving on the hand proof of weaker faith? .

That wasn’t my take on bpbasilphx’s statement at all.

I think that the statement on the “weaker faith” was in reference to ministers such as the priest in the OP who put their personal preferences over the Church’s command on the subject.

In other words, if the priest’s faith in the instruction of the CHurch was so weak that he would only offer Communion in the hand, then bpb would accept that and recieve in the hand.

 

[Tradycja]

You are absolutely correct. In the rule of St. Francis there is a very interesting mandate that can be applied here. Obvioiusly, non-Franciscans are not bound by the rule, but it contains some useful advice for everyone. Our holy Father says that even when our superior violates our rights, we are never to fight for them. Just as our rights are important, equally important is to be men of peace. Francis goes on to say that the quarrelsome may win the battle, but lose their souls, because they achieve their rights, but violate charity and the gates of heaven were open, not by justice, but by love.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Can. 212 §3 They [Christ’s faithful] have the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church. They have the right also to make their views known to others of Christ’s faithful, but in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faith and morals, show due reverence to the Pastors and take into account both the common good and the dignity of individuals.

If everyone followed your logic then Bishops would still be covering up sex abuse and there wouldn’t be the programs implemented to protect children from predator priests.
The programs that protect children now didn’t come from the goodness of the hearts of the Bishops, they came from lay people standing up for truth.

 

[peary1]

hello… this is my first time to post in this forum… i’m jayson from the philippines…

just recently, our parish priest announced that he won’t give communion in the tongue because doesn’t want our lips or teeth touch his hand…

i have a strong personal conviction to receive communion in the tongue only… it’s almost like an oath for me… is it ok to go to mass at a different parish just for the reason that i can receive communion from a priest through my tongue?

If it is done properly, he won’t touch the tongue. Either he is a germophobe or else he feels inadequate to properly execute the function of Communion on the tongue. Or, he may be just looking for an excuse not to do it because he is more comfortable doing it the other way.

Many of the Eastern rite Catholics and Eastern Orthodox receive Communion in both species. The priest dips the bread into the wine by way of a small spoon and then drops it into the recipient’s mouth without touching anything. It’s an art form, really!

To to Mass at a different parish if you wish to receive on the tongue. Mass is Mass.

 

[FrDavid96]

Originally Posted by sharmin
With a flu pandemic, I would NEVER distribute on the tongue. Communion in the hand is just as legitimate. If I were forced to, I would refuse.

You don’t have the authority to refuse.

Actually, sharmin does have the authority to refuse.

If someone in my own parish were to say to me “I refuse to administer Holy Communion on the tongue”, my response would be “That’s fine, I accept that, and I will no longer consider you an eligible candidate to be deputed an EMHC.” Problem solved.

 

[sharmin]

You don’t have the authority to refuse.

No one could phsically force me to give communion on the tongue. I would no longer serve as a EM.

Even if I were a priest, I would consider refusing. I don’t understand how the church would even want the liability of forcing someone to distribute communion on the tongue without gloves. Receiving in the hand is just as good.

 

[sharmin]

I hope that you would also not talk with anyone (trasnmission by air droplets) open door knobs, or touch the pews at mass. What a wonderful way to spread the flu !!

We have a flu pandemic everyyear. More than 30,000 people die from the ordinary strains of the flu virus which is about 25,000 more than have died from H1N1.

This virus has been killing younger people. I knew of 9 people with pnemonia at one point (all at once!). I have never seen that before.

Also, you can use hand sanitizer after you talk with someone at mass or touch door knobs before you touch food or your face. If you give Communion on the tongue you are possibly touching someone’s tongue and then giving communion to the next person with the previous person’s germs!

 

[sharmin]

If it is done properly, he won’t touch the tongue. Either he is a germophobe or else he feels inadequate to properly execute the function of Communion on the tongue. .

Either way, good for him. If he does not feel he can ‘properly execute the function of communion’ and might accidentally touch someone else’s tongue, I’m glad that he is thinking of the next parishoner’s in line who don’t want that previous guy’s germs in their mouth.

 

[sharmin]

Actually, sharmin does have the authority to refuse.

If someone in my own parish were to say to me “I refuse to administer Holy Communion on the tongue”, my response would be “That’s fine, I accept that, and I will no longer consider you an eligible candidate to be deputed an EMHC.” Problem solved.

Exactly.

 

[benedictgal]

With a flu pandemic, I would NEVER distribute on the tongue. Communion in the hand is just as legitimate. If I were forced to, I would refuse.

Sharmin, that is not your call to make. Regardless of whether or not you are a priest, prelate or layman, you do not have the authority to refuse anyone COTT. Have you not understood what the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has already stated and re-stated?

You do not have the authority to refuse anyone COTT.

 

[benedictgal]

This virus has been killing younger people. I knew of 9 people with pnemonia at one point (all at once!). I have never seen that before.

Also, you can use hand sanitizer after you talk with someone at mass or touch door knobs before you touch food or your face. If you give Communion on the tongue you are possibly touching someone’s tongue and then giving communion to the next person with the previous person’s germs!

But, again, you are placing yourself above what the Church has already stated. You do not have the authority to make that call. If you do not want to distribute COTT, rather than blatantly disobeying what the CDWDS has already ruled, don’t serve as an EMHC.

Furthermore, you have no proof that COTT spreads disease. Was Mass ever suspended back in the 1910s when the Spanish flu was spreading in the US? Was COTT suppressed for the faithful?

Even the CDC has not made any statement correlating COTT with the passing of the flu, whatever strain it is.

 

[ProVobis]

I was simply saying that we need not get quarrelsome.

And the Vatican need not have ever caved in to the abuse of CITT. What good has come out of it?

 

[ProVobis]

I’m glad that he is thinking of the next parishoner’s in line who don’t want that previous guy’s germs in their mouth.

Actually germs get absorbed topically by the body, not necessarily through the mouth. You shouldn’t touch drugs not prescribed for you with your bare hands, for the same reason. Look at all the patches made available these days, ones that even prevent pregnancies, if you don’t believe me. Germs, viruses, drugs, and food can and do find their way into the body in many ways. CITH offers absolutely no protection.

 

[sharmin]

Actually germs get absorbed topically by the body, not necessarily through the mouth. You shouldn’t touch drugs not prescribed for you with your bare hands, for the same reason. Look at all the patches made available these days, ones that even prevent pregnancies, if you don’t believe me. Germs, viruses, drugs, and food can and do find their way into the body in many ways. CITH offers absolutely no protection.

Look at how this flu is spread…through the mouth and nose…not absorbed through skin.

 

[FrDavid96]

Look at how this flu is spread…through the mouth and nose…not absorbed through skin.

Ok. Then why are we constantly being told to wash our hands? Could it be because the manner in which the virus is spreading is by so many people’s hands?

 

[sharmin]

Ok. Then why are we constantly being told to wash our hands? Could it be because the manner in which the virus is spreading is by so many people’s hands?

No, it’s because if you don’t wash your hands, and you scratch your nose, eat something, etc., you will ingest the virus.

 

[ProVobis]

Look at how this flu is spread…through the mouth and nose…not absorbed through skin.

Then chances are that by communion time everyone in church has been exposed. Maybe better to stay home if you have THIS flu?

 

[sharmin]

Then chances are that by communion time everyone in church has been exposed. Maybe better to stay home if you have THIS flu?

No, actually not true. If someone sitting 2 rows in front of my has h1n1 (or any virus) and he does communion on the tongue, and then the EM touches my communion that is a MUCH greater chance of me getting it than by my sitting 2 rows behind someone with a virus.

 

[ProVobis]

No, actually not true. If someone sitting 2 rows in front of my has h1n1 (or any virus) and he does communion on the tongue, and then the EM touches my communion that is a MUCH greater chance of me getting it than by my sitting 2 rows behind someone with a virus.

So everyone in the world with the h1n1 got it by receiving communion on the tongue? Shouldn’t be much of a problem then. Does the health department know about this?

 

[Hotchkiss]

Actually germs get absorbed topically by the body, not necessarily through the mouth. You shouldn’t touch drugs not prescribed for you with your bare hands, for the same reason. Look at all the patches made available these days, ones that even prevent pregnancies, if you don’t believe me. Germs, viruses, drugs, and food can and do find their way into the body in many ways. CITH offers absolutely no protection.

So you say. Others, including the CDC disagree with you.