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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Liturgical Abuse George Jr. Tuesday, March 1, 2005

Question:

On 02/11/05, I saw an episode of World Over Live on EWTN. Ramond Arroyo was interviewing Cardinal Francis Arinze. Cardinal Arinze implied that lay people opening the tabernacle was an abuse. This happens in my church on Sundays and Saturdays so I expressed my concerns to the parish priest. He said, he is trying to correct the problem but he can not change parish practice too quickly. I assumed that it might cause other problems if he did. If I continue to receive the Sacrament, am I commiting a sin when lay people open the tabernacle to help dispense Communion? Should I leave the
church?
Another question: Should a woman be (almost) behind the altar during Consecration to ring sanctus bells? Should I avoid the church until these things are corrected?
I feel that I am being scrupulous.
Thank you
Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear George,

Yes, this is an abuse, clarified in the new GIRM.

<BLOCKQUOTE>These ministers do not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion and always accept from the hands of the priest the vessel which contains either species of the Blessed Eucharist for distribution to the faithful." (n.162)

After the distribution of Communion, the priest himself immediately consumes at the altar any consecrated wine which happens to remain, but if there are extra consecrated hosts left, he either consumes them at the altar or carries them to the place designated for the reservation of the Eucharist. (n.163)</BLOCKQUOTE>

  There are times when laypeople can open the tabernacle, but it should not be happening regularly on a weekly basis.

Yes a woman can serve in the sanctuary, provided that she's fulfilling a licit role and not there pretending to "concelebrate".

  No, I don't see any sin on your part but if you think it's causing problems then yes move on.  I really wouldn't worry about it though.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.