Video from Robert Nugent via Youtube
I have never met Robert Nugent and from what I k ow of him, I can’t imagine us agreeing on much – but he is perfectly right about bishops and priests being the Ordinary ministers of Holy Communion
His Knock example is good.
The ORDINARY minister of Holy Communion is a priest or bishop.
Our current lay MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST are EXTRAORDINARY ministers.
That means that they are only called to give out Holy Communion when priests and bishops are not available or in situations where there is only one priest and the Congregation is so large that just one priest distributing would make the Communion part of the Mass out of proportion time wise.
These extraordinary ministers were not intended to REPLACE priests and bishops – but to assist them when needed.
The situation we see in Knock above is both theologically and liturgically incorrect and perhaps an abuse.
These things happen when priests and bishops are theologically and liturgically ignorant or lazy.
The abuse has come about in part to placate the laity who cannot be ordained.
It’s priests and bishops throwing theological and liturgical “scraps” at the laity.
The other abuse that has crept in here is that these ministers are often chosen from priests favourite parishioners and from the more wealthy parishioners.
It is an “honour” a power liking PP can bestow upon his more obedient and knee bending parishioners.
The custom of lay ministers taking Holy Communion home to the sick etc is much more ancient and rooted in good theology and liturgy.
Priests and bishops taking Holy Communion from extraordinary ministers flies in the face of all tradition.
FATHER MARTIN MC ALINDEN
Had a foul mouthed and seemingly intoxicated “lady” call me from a mobile number last night at 9 15 pm – claiming to be Martin’s sister.
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 