Who can administer communion during Mass?

[chidit]

During a Mass recently, the priest asked an altar server to assist with administering communion. This caused quite a stir in the congregation.
Hence, does Canon Law comment on this matter of the laity being called to assist during Mass? or can only Eucharistic Ministers administer the host.

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

In the normal course of events Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should be trained and receive appropriate formation. There should not be laity willy-nilly handing out communion. The person in charge of scheduling for Masses should take into account the number of clergy present and, if needed, plan an appropriate number of extraordinary ministers.

However the Church does foresee that unusual circumstances could require an unusual response:

redemptionis sacramentum

1. The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

[155.] …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, 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.

I would hope that the priest “deputizing” an altar server to distribute communion was just a one time emergency situation. I would also hope that the altar server was of an appropriate age to appreciate the seriousness of the role they were undertaking.