Saturday, April 14, 2007

Communion under both species: An addendum

Please note the addendum I have added today to my earlier post, "Question about Communion in two kinds" (April 12, 2007). In short, if the USCCB's "Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America" is all that can be mounted against such Vatican Instructions as Redemptionis Sacramentum, I do not see how the latter can be easily countermanded. In other words, unless there is something more substantially binding upon the universal Church, I do not see how Communion under both species -- or even the promotion of Communion under both kinds -- can be seen as in any way a binding mandate of the Church, as compared to the a priori requirement to preserve the integrity of the function and office of the ordinary minister in the Sacrifice of the Mass -- i.e., the priest. (But do read the addendum to get the full picture.)

Update 4/16/07
See the Congregation on Divine Worship's statement and commentary by Ralph here and here.

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