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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Eucharistic Ministers Marie Friday, May 24, 2019

Question:

What does: "Are you void of any impediment to sacramental reception? mean



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD

Dear Marie:

Sorry for the delay.

The 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia states:

Canon law uses the word impediment in its restricted and technical sense, only in reference to marriage, while impediments to Holy orders are spoken of as irregularities (q.v.). We may remark, however, that several real impediments or obstacles to the reception of Holy orders are not called irregularities: thus, women and unbaptized persons, who are by Divine law incapable of being ordained, are not termed irregular. But speaking of matrimony, the word impediment refers to all obstacles, whether arising from natural or Divine law.

I am not sure what your question involves concerning extraordinary ministers of holy Communion (not Eucharistic Ministers, which are priests), since you do not give a context. Certainly, it is not within the purview or authority for extraordinary ministers to ask about impediments to receiving the Holy Eucharist. 

But, with that said, the question is asking if there are any "impediments" to receiving the Sacrament (e.g., not in a state of grace, not Catholic or in communion with the Church, or lacking some other requirement necessary to receive whatever Sacrament in question.

Hope this helps.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary


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