Diocese Limits Communion Under Both Kinds, Laments Excessive Extraordinary Ministers

Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds (Diocese of Phoenix) http://www.diocesephoenix.org/uploads/docs/COMMUNION-NEWS-RELEASE-092111.pdf Questions and Answers: Norms for Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Forms (Diocese of Phoenix http://www.diocesephoenix.org/uploads/docs/COMMUNION-Q-AND-A-092111.pdf
September 22, 2011
"The Diocese of Phoenix has announced that it will issue norms specifying the conditions under which Holy Communion may be distributed under both species.
“The new norms will promote unity in the celebration of the Eucharist all around the world, and come from the revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 3rd Edition, together with the final edition of The Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds for the Dioceses of the United States of America,” the diocese stated in a press release.
“In the Roman Missal (1975), 14 instances were provided when the chalice could be offered to the laity,” the diocese noted. “From 1975 on, the United States, United Kingdom and Oceania were given experimental privileges for the distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds. These privileges expired in 2005 and were not renewed by the Holy See. The new norms issued in June 2011 are what guide the liturgical practice today and in the future...”
The ritual books state that Holy Communion may be offered at the Chrism Mass and feast of Corpus Christi. Additionally, it may be offered to a Catholic couple at their wedding Mass, to first communicants and their family members, confirmation candidates and their sponsors, as well as deacons, non-concelebrating priests, servers and seminarians at any Mass, as well as community members at a conventual Mass or those on a retreat or at a spiritual gathering. In addition, a priest may select other important solemnities in which it may be offered, e.g., parish patronal feast days or the celebration of the dedication of the church building, provided the conditions are met.
“In normal circumstances, only priests and deacons are to distribute Holy Communion,” the diocese added; “when both forms of Communion are used frequently, ‘extraordinary’ ministers of Holy Communion are disproportionately multiplied.”

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Another step backward on the long, steady march to a more clerical, male-dominated, church.
The Vatican's new/old norms are a return to the Middle Ages. What we need is a more people-empowered church, not a more clerical church. It is obvious that these liturgical changes set the clock back to the Tridentine era. What ever happened to Vatican II? Catholics in the pews need to make their voices heard. They should put their money in escrow until the hierarchy "gets it"--- that the church is the people of God, not the clergy, hierarchy or Vatican alone!
The good news is that the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is offering new Inclusive Worship Aids with Vatican II style liturgies and inclusive language. We will have it ready for Advent, the new liturgical year!

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com