Physically capable priest celebrant sat while EMHC's distributed Communion

[tbtcom1213]

Yesterday at Sunday Afternoon Mass too many EMHCs came up to the sanctuary. One of the EMHC’s helped set the ciboria on the altar even though the priest was not incapacitated in any way, shape or form.

After distributing communion to the servers and EMHCs he decided to sit in the presider’s chair while all the female EMHCs (aka by the illicit term “eucharistic ministers”) distributed the Blessed Sacrament. The pastor came in for a while but didn’t do much about it and then left.

My Question is: What does the GIRM say about this practice? Are there any other ecclesial documents that respond to this abuse?

I personally don’t mind receiving from an EMHC as the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist (Sacred Hosts & Precious Blood) regardless of whether I receive from a vested priest (or deacon), or the EMHC in a suit or shorts.

 

[FatHead]

Yesterday at Sunday Afternoon Mass too many EMHCs came up to the sanctuary. One of the EMHC’s helped set the ciboria on the altar even though the priest was not incapacitated in any way, shape or form.

After distributing communion to the servers and EMHCs he decided to sit in the presider’s chair while all the female EMHCs (aka by the illicit term “eucharistic ministers”) distributed the Blessed Sacrament. The pastor came in for a while but didn’t do much about it and then left.

My Question is: What does the GIRM say about this practice? Are there any other ecclesial documents that respond to this abuse?

I personally don’t mind receiving from an EMHC as the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist (Sacred Hosts & Precious Blood) regardless of whether I receive from a vested priest (or deacon), or the EMHC in a suit or shorts.

this practice is absoultely not allowed. from redemptonis sacramentum

The practice of those Priests is reprobated who, even though present at the celebration, abstain from distributing Communion and hand this function over to laypersons.

 

[Rascalking]

I’m confused-can’t Eucharistic ministers distribute communion?

 

[zab]

Yesterday at Sunday Afternoon Mass too many EMHCs came up to the sanctuary. One of the EMHC’s helped set the ciboria on the altar even though the priest was not incapacitated in any way, shape or form.

After distributing communion to the servers and EMHCs he decided to sit in the presider’s chair while all the female EMHCs (aka by the illicit term “eucharistic ministers”) distributed the Blessed Sacrament. The pastor came in for a while but didn’t do much about it and then left.

My Question is: What does the GIRM say about this practice? Are there any other ecclesial documents that respond to this abuse?

I personally don’t mind receiving from an EMHC as the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist (Sacred Hosts & Precious Blood) regardless of whether I receive from a vested priest (or deacon), or the EMHC in a suit or shorts.

You would be surprised at some of the people today who have had issues with their heart and have had surgeries and are back at work in a few weeks. They may not look incapacitated in any way shape or form, but they still need to take it easy for a while. Were there no altar servers? I’m just wondering why the EMHC helped to put the ciboria on the altar. Also, females are permitted to serve as EMHC.

 

[FatHead]

I’m confused-can’t Eucharistic ministers distribute communion?

Yes, you can have as many as you want eucharistic ministers distribute as you want, and deacons too. (see redemptonis sacramentum 154 to understand this joke)

However, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion can only distrubute if there are no other priests, deacons, or instituted acolytes, and there is a great need.

edit:Read #156, and use better termonology next time

 

[Rascalking]

Yes, you can have as many as you want eucharistic ministers distribute as you want, and deacons too. (see redemptonis sacramentum 154 to understand this joke)

However, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion can only distrubute if there are no other priests, deacons, or instituted acolytes, and there is a great need.

Thanks.

 

[anp1215]

If he really wasn’t incapacitated, then he should have been distributing the Eucharist. However, as someone else mentioned, it’s really impossible to judge whether someone is incapacitated or not just from looking. I would have gone up to him afterward and politely asked, “Father, is everything all right today? I noticed that you did not distribute Communion at Mass. I hope you are in good health, and if not, I will remember you in prayer” or something to that effect.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I’m confused-can’t Eucharistic ministers distribute communion?

Yes they can and should in preference to anyone else. Eucharistic ministers are bishops and priests. They are also ordinary ministers of Holy Communion as are deacons. Bishops, priests and deacons are the ministers who should distribute Holy Communion. If there is not a sufficient number of them to distribute Holy Communion in a reasonable time then laypersons designated as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (the only correct title for them) may distribute Holy Communion too. First among these should be any acolytes (the properly instituted ministers not altar servers) present.

 

[Rascalking]

Yes they can and should in preference to anyone else. Eucharistic ministers are bishops and priests. They are also ordinary ministers of Holy Communion as are deacons. Bishops, priests and deacons are the ministers who should distribute Holy Communion. If there is not a sufficient number of them to distribute Holy Communion in a reasonable time then laypersons designated as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (the only correct title for them) may distribute Holy Communion too. First among these should be any acolytes (the properly instituted ministers not altar servers) present.

Thanks to you as well!

 

[Garyjohn2]

Maybe he was getting over the flu and was light headed or something…who knows!
I’d say its only an issue if its regular…and should probably be brought up in that case by one of his ordained peers.

 

[Rascalking]

Maybe he was getting over the flu and was light headed or something…who knows!
I’d say its only an issue if its regular…and should probably be brought up in that case by one of his ordained peers.

Good point.

Unless it’s a habit, I think he is entitled to the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Myqyl]

As an individual with a disability I can tell you that a priest may “seem” perfectly capable, but have an unseen issue.

I stand on my feet most of the day when I’m teaching, but am often in quite a bit of pain. If offered a chance to sit for even a few minutes I would jump (not literally obviously ) at the chance. Perhaps you should give this priest the benefit of the doubt. You are not in his shoes and have no clue what he may be going through.

We lay-persons should ease up on the clergy. Look to the logs in our own eyes instead of trying to dig out slivers from theirs.

… but that’s just me…

God bless

 

[PacoG]

Yes, you can have as many as you want eucharistic ministers distribute as you want, and deacons too. (see redemptonis sacramentum 154 to understand this joke)

Last time I checked deacons were ORDINARY MINISTERS of Holy Communion. And last time I checked it is their right to attend to the cup.

 

[zab]

Last time I checked deacons were ORDINARY MINISTERS of Holy Communion. And last time I checked it is their right to attend to the cup.

That’s OK. It took me a few seconds to get the joke too.

 

[PacoG]

Yesterday at Sunday Afternoon Mass too many EMHCs came up to the sanctuary. One of the EMHC’s helped set the ciboria on the altar even though the priest was not incapacitated in any way, shape or form.

After distributing communion to the servers and EMHCs he decided to sit in the presider’s chair while all the female EMHCs (aka by the illicit term “eucharistic ministers”) distributed the Blessed Sacrament. The pastor came in for a while but didn’t do much about it and then left.

So did you physically examine him before Mass? Do you have a copy of his medical history? Do you know for a fact that he wasn’t sick or physically exhausted (he could have been lacking sleep from making a sick call in the middle of the night or had to say more than his usual load of Masses because another priest is ill or had to travel far to sub for another priest).

You should be sure of your facts before you make potentially defamatory, libelous and wholly uncharitable allegations.

Instead of coming and potentially defaming a priest on this board, you should pray for him and offer to help in anyway possible.

 

[PacoG]

That’s OK. It took me a few seconds to get the joke too.

I don’t get it…

 

[FatHead]

Yes, you can have as many as you want eucharistic ministers distribute as you want, and deacons too. (see redemptonis sacramentum 154 to understand this joke)

However, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion can only distrubute if there are no other priests, deacons, or instituted acolytes, and there is a great need.

edit:Read #156, and use better termonology next time

Last time I checked deacons were ORDINARY MINISTERS of Holy Communion. And last time I checked it is their right to attend to the cup.

no one said they werent. I said they werent eucharistic ministers.

 

[FatHead]

I don’t get it…

priests are eucharistic ministers (can consecrate the eucharist)
priest and deacons are ordinary minister of Holy Communion (it is their duty to disribute holy communion)
Lay people can be extraordinary ministers of holy communion

 

[PatriceA]

Unless it’s a habit, I think he is entitled to the benefit of the doubt.

This. The fact that the OP said the pastor came in and then left without doing anything about the situation makes me think there was something going on physically and not apparent with the priest celebrating the mass and one shouldn’t be so quick to judge the situation.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Yesterday at Sunday Afternoon Mass too many EMHCs came up to the sanctuary. One of the EMHC’s helped set the ciboria on the altar even though the priest was not incapacitated in any way, shape or form.

After distributing communion to the servers and EMHCs he decided to sit in the presider’s chair while all the** female** EMHCs (aka by the illicit term “eucharistic ministers”) distributed the Blessed Sacrament. The pastor came in for a while but didn’t do much about it and then left.

My Question is: What does the GIRM say about this practice? Are there any other ecclesial documents that respond to this abuse?

I personally don’t mind receiving from an EMHC as the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist (Sacred Hosts & Precious Blood) regardless of whether I receive from a vested priest (or deacon), or the EMHC in a suit or shorts.

Just wondering why gender was stress here.

priests are eucharistic ministers (can consecrate the eucharist)
priest and deacons are ordinary minister of Holy Communion (it is their duty to disribute holy communion)
Lay people can be extraordinary ministers of holy communion

Yes we all know this.

We also are aware that the short hand of eucharistic minister is used for EMHC but are also aware that no one is claiming that they can consecrate the Eucharist when they use this term.