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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Extraordinary Ministers Burnadette Wednesday, August 18, 2004

Question:

My question this time is about the extraordinary ministers. Is there some protocol about selecting them or can just anybody do it? The reason I ask this is because at our parish there are people up there that are not in compliance with the precepts of the church. One person is divorced and living with someone else. Another is divorced and remarried but never had an anullment. That particular situation is a very strange one as a former priest told them they did not need an anullment but there was no reason to not get an anullment other than the priest here at that time just didn't think it was necessary. I see these people on the altar handling the precious body and blood and I have to wonder if there is not some rule that says a person in that position should be in line with the church. I try not to judge, but it is hard to not notice these things. Is there a rule about it or can just anybody march up there and pass out communion?

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Burnadette,

No, not just anybody can march up and perform this ministry.  Go to http://www.saint-mike.org/library/Curial_Docs/Lay_and_Priest_roles.html and scroll down to Article 13.

Let me know if you have further questions.

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.