I think what John is referring to is the concept of the “loss of office.” There is a canonical procedure to remove someone from office. However, the function of EMHC is not an office – being a pastor or a bishop is holding an office, being a priest, a deacon or an EMHC does not, in and of itself, mean one holds an office.
If the man were an installed acolyte then, indeed, there would need to be a canonical procedure to deprive him of what is a “permanent” title, just as a priest or deacon would have to go through a canonical procedure to cease being clerics.
In this case, however, since an EMHC serves at the whim/desire of the pastor he can effectively remove all EMHCs if he so desires. He can not, however, remove parocial vicars/curates or deacons since they serve at the command of the bishop!
Deacon Ed
My understanding is that an EMHC is appointed for a term by a bishop, rather than a pastor. From the 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum:
“[155.] In addition to the ordinary ministers there is the formally instituted acolyte, who by virtue of his institution is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion even outside the celebration of Mass. If, moreover, reasons of real necessity prompt it, another lay member of Christ’s faithful may also be
delegated by the diocesan Bishop, in accordance with the norm of law,
[footnote 256: Cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 230 § 3. ]
for one occasion or for a specified time, and an appropriate formula of blessing may be used for the occasion. This act of appointment, however, does not necessarily take a liturgical form, nor, if it does take a liturgical form, should it resemble sacred Ordination in any way. Finally, in special cases of an unforeseen nature, permission can be given for a single occasion by the Priest who presides at the celebration of the Eucharist.
[footnote 257: Cf. S. Congregation for the Discipline of the Sacraments, Instruction, Immensae caritatis, prooemium: AAS 65 (1973) p. 264; Pope Paul VI, Apostolic Letter (Motu Proprio), Ministeria quaedam, 15 August 1972: AAS 64 (1972) p. 532; Missale Romanum, Appendix III: Ritus ad deputandum ministrum sacrae Communionis ad actum distribuendae, p. 1253; Congregation for the Clergy et al., Instruction, Ecclesiae de mysterio, Practical Provisions, art. 8 § 1: AAS 89 (1997) p. 871.]”
Takes this senario. A bishop decides to make someone an EMHC for three years. The trainig is done, he writes the document appointing them and conducts the liturgical ceremony to make them an EMHC. The parish priest does not have the authority, on a whim, to reverse this appointment.
I think there would need to be a process, involving the bishop, if a priest decides that a particular person is unsuitable to be an EMHC.
I remember this happening in Australia about 10 years ago. I think Bishop Geoffrey Mayne decided a particular woman was unsuitable for this ministry because of her involvement in an organsiation promoting the ordination of women. But it is not a decision that should be taken lightly.
