The Bishop of Richmond’s policy, although perhaps informative, does not instruct any other bishop. Only the Holy See may instruct the local ordinary. So your confusion is understandable when you write, “I fail to see how you can interpret what you are doing as being within the policy” since you do not know my bishop’s policy. As to what I am doing, I have posted already:
My bishop has commissioned my minisry and his Director of the Office of Worship has instructed me.
That’s the first time you’ve said that you have been “commissioned.” Until now, you haven’t said that. However, in order to conduct SCAP one must be very specifically appointed to do so–even being commissioned a temporary Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion doesn’t mean that one can do SCAP without the specific mandate from the bishop. This is universal law, and applies to all dioceses in the world.
The Bishop of Richmond’s policy as regards “Maybe” situations seems unambiguous to me. The policy identifies three categories: “Yes”, “No”, and “Maybe.” In explaining the “Maybe” category, the policy identfies “special needs groups.” The policy states (exempli gratia, for example) that “prison poulations” is such a “special needs group” elevating “prison populations” to the “Yes” category. How can you see it any other way?
Because the bishop put prison mininistry into the category of “maybe” but you yourself have moved it into the category of “yes.” That’s pretty clear–in fact, that’s exactly what you wrote in the above quote. It’s not up to you to “correct” what the bishop has written. If he wanted it in the category of “yes” he would not have put it into the category of “maybe.” No matter how you justify moving it, the fact remains that you, not the bishop, have moved it.
That would be a misinterpretation of my postings. SCAP, in the diocese of Richmond, is intended for special needs groups which specifically include prison populations. As I recently posted, the rubrics in SCAP clearly show that as it was not written for such use and is in need of revision.
No, you’re changing the policy. It doesn’t “specifically” include prison ministry, it “maybe” includes prison ministry.
(edited for space)
We’ve beaten the Richmond policy enough. Do you have a pastoral response as opposed to the legalistic canonical response?
No that was not my question. Read the post heading, please" “Re: What criteria constitute a eucharistic celebration?”
I didn’t question the Mass as a “eucharistic celebration.” In fact, I declared that it most certainly is! I asked what criteria define a “eucharistic celebration”; no more, no less.
At this point, several posters (including myself) have already answered the question. When canon 917 says “Eucharistic Celebration” that refers to the Mass, only the Mass, and nothing but the Mass (unless it’s Good Friday, but that’s not relevant). Apparently, you aren’t satisfied with the answer, but that won’t change it. A communion service (including SCAP) does not constitute a “Eucharistic Celebration” as the term is used in the canon.
My pastoral response is what I posted from the very beginning (the first time I posted on this thread). Here it is again:
SCAP is only licitly employed when the bishop of the diocese has specifically mandated it’s use. I will add that since the prison itself is (apparently) within the diocese of Richmond, then the only way SCAP may be used is if the bishop of Richmond (or his delegate, such as a vicar general) has very specifically mandated that SCAP be used. If the bishop of Richmond has not very specifically mandated that SCAP be used in that particular place, then SCAP is illicit.
If the bishop of the diocese where the prison is located has commissioned you (or anyone else) very specifically to conduct SCAP, then by all means it is licit, and should be done.
Canon 917 says that Communion may only be received a second time in the same day if that second time is at Mass. Therefore, if one receives Communion at Mass and then later on that same liturgical day, either conducts or attends a service where Holy Communion is distributed (regardless of what it’s called), such a person may not receive Communion again.
If you have not been commissioned specifically to do SCAP, but instead have been appointed by a priest to take Communion to the inmates, then the appropriate ritual would be to the one designed for taking Communion to those unable to attend Mass. Such a ritual can be found in several places, including the book “Pastoral Care of the Sick” which I mention only because it’s the most common and easiest to find.
Please understand that I’m truly trying to help you here with this situation.
Here’s the bottom line:
If the bishop of the place has said “do SCAP” then do SCAP. If he hasn’t specifically said it, then don’t do SCAP.
If you don’t do SCAP, but a priest has deputed you to take Communion to the inmates, then use the appropriate ritual which can be found in Pastoral Care of the Sick. Even though the title of the book doesn’t apply, the ritual does. If you need other sources, say so and I or someone else will provide them.
If you receive Communion at Mass on a given day, you cannot receive Communion again on that same day during any service other than a second Mass.
I truly hope this helps, because that’s my only motivation here: to explain what is pastorally and canonically appropriate.
