| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| abuse of extraordinary eucharistic ministers | Kristin | Wednesday, October 17, 2018 |
Question: Our parish, in fact our diocese, has made a habit of using lay people as extraordinary eucharistic ministers at each mass every week. Has done so for years. I was one, until I realized that I shouldn't be doing it. When first asked, I really thought I would be visiting homebound folks but in all these years, never did. I've questions our parish priest, who tells me its being done all over the world now. Our bishop does not reply to my inquiries (I've made 3). The fact that lay people are distributing when there is no reason for it (we are a small rural parish) is really bothering me. The hands that touch the Body of Christ have been shaking other folks hands, holding hands during the Our Father (why??), and then distributing. I can't believe unconsecrated hands are being allowed. I'm struggling with this so much, that I've considered leaving because it's so hard to see Our Lord's body being abused so thoughtlessly. Please help me come to grips with this! |
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| Question Answered by
Dear Kristin: I understand your angst. I, too, am disturbed by the abuse of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Such extraordinary ministers are deputed to distribute the Holy Eucharist, thus there is not a problem with that; the Church allows it. But, extraordinary ministers are only to be used when there are insufficient numbers of Ordinary Ministers (clergy) and Installed Acolytes to distribute communion in any given congregation. A single priest ought to be able to distribute the Holy Eucharist to at least 400 people without any help from other clergy or extraordinary ministers. Unfortunately, the role of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion has been corrupted to be just a way for the laity to participate at Holy Mass. Sorry Folks. Laity are to participate in the Holy Mass from the Pews unless there is a glaring need otherwise, and then only as the Church allows. So, I understand your concerns, but Kristin, you need to check your temptation to mortally sin by leaving the Church. It is not the fault of the Church that priests and bishops allow this scandal to continue. Regardless of this abuse, Jesus is still there in the Eucharist. Why would you want to leave Jesus alone with the abusers? Instead, lift up your suffering to our Blessed Mother for the conversion of the priests and bishops who allow this. In addition, mortify your own pride in allowing these abuses tempt you to leave. We can't always get our way. Jesus is there. That is all that ultimately counts. Get in the line where the priest is distributing the Eucharist, focus on Jesus, worship Him. Ignore the abuses. The purpose of the Holy Mass is for us to worship our Lord. We will pray for you and for your parish and diocese. God Bless, 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. |
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