Should laity be allowed in the Sanctuary?

[Wendy-Kay]

We ought to build iconastasis like Eastern Churches have. It would solve all these problems.

Only the servers and the deacon and priest are allowed behind the icon screen, period.

Those who read at the Divine Liturgy do so from the body of the Church, they don’t approach the altar area at all.

And of course, they don’t have or allow EMHCs, or women at all behind the icon screen.

God bless,

Although I see the reasoning and no doubt EMHC is a role that is way overused, I can’t completely agree with this. Our pastor has had multiple surgeries on his legs and our extraordinary minister helps him by tending to the handicapped in the knave and those wishing to recieve at the railing. I think those are the situations when EMHC are neccessary.
My pastor reminds folk often how terrible it would be to carry on idle conversation in our knave making the holy space “into a den of talkers”. I believe that if you have good leadership that stresses the importance of keeping the house of Jesus Christ sacred, you won’t have to worry about the laity walking around in the sanctuary.

 

[m134e5]

Only clergy, and servers in choir dress (cassock and surplice) should be in the sanctuary when there is a liturgy going on. Of course, when there is no liturgy going on, sacristans or members of the altar society can go in there- but only when they need to be in there to clean or something or decorate (appropriately).

 

[TimOliv]

another worthless poll.
what is the point of expressing an opinion on a topic that is clearly covered by law and rubrics? We have rules governing liturgy. the rules should be followed to the letter, and everyone who is in service of the liturgy should be properly instructed in the rules. Opinion doesn’t count.

Pssst…its a Discussion Board, a discussion board without opinions is simply all of us posting complete our complete agreement for things. What fun is in that?

Incidentally, I have yet to find anything in the CCC that says Catholics cannot have an opinion.

 

[TimOliv]

We ought to build iconastasis like Eastern Churches have. It would solve all these problems.

Only the servers and the deacon and priest are allowed behind the icon screen, period.

Those who read at the Divine Liturgy do so from the body of the Church, they don’t approach the altar area at all.

And of course, they don’t have or allow EMHCs, or women at all behind the icon screen.

God bless,

We used to have it, but instead of an iconastasis it was an altar rail, same principle, however.