I know that people who are not receiving Holy Communion should stay in the pews during communion but many still go up for blessings. I know too that only priests or deacons can give blessings. I have noticed two of our EM's not only give blessings but lay a hand on the head of the person be it an adult or a child. I brought this up a while back to the attention of the priest who was celebrating Mass while he was shaking hands with the congregation upon leaving and he said that the EM's should only pray for them. I mention to him about the EM's making the sign of the cross and laying hands and his reply was that if that was their way of praying for them, that it was OK. Is this permissible? What about giving scandal? To me it is scandalous that a lay person is doing this type of "praying" for the individual. Can a lay person be given special permission by the Ordinary to do this? I know other EM's will just say to the individual, "May the Lord Bless you" without extending their hands.

Thank you for your reply.

Nathan