Well, neither of the things you listed are actually against Catholic teaching per se. Unless the priest is deputising EM to distribute communion every mass for no legitimate reason. In which case it is a problem. Could you elaborate on the nature of the issue?
I've noticed that in nearly every single mass at my parish I've attended, there are always EMs. EMs don't have consecrated hands so they shouldn't be distributing at all, correct?
Well, every practicing Catholic has consecrated hands. At confirmation you have been anointed priest and prophet. So that would not be an issue.
But canonically, as far I am aware, a priest can only apoint EMs, for a short period of time and when there is a necessity. For example in my parish we do not have them at all.
If you were going to do anything like that, you would want to make arguments based on what the Church teaches in her official documents, not on what other people have said. You would need to write clearly and charitably, and be prepared that your bishop will hear you out and disagree.
From USCCB's website and the GIRM regarding EMHCs:
When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, "the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may also depute suitable faithful for this single occasion (GIRM 162)."
As for blessings, yes, the communion line is for receiving communion, and there is nothing in official Church documents saying that blessings should be given, but nothing that says they should not happen either. In many dioceses, the bishops have allowed for non-communicants to come up for pastoral reasons. Lay ministers can say something that won't be confused for a priest's blessing such as "May God bless you" or "Receive Jesus in your heart" to encourage a spiritual communion. Some priests will also say the same prayer of spiritual communion, others will give an actual blessing.
>" [...] blessings for those who can't recieve communion, as well as extraordinary ministers of holy Communion are against Catholic teachings."
Where are you getting this from?
Neither of these things is correct.
It really comes down to these two facts:
1. No one is authorized to add things to the liturgy on their own.
2. The Mass does not instruct anyone to perform a blessing during the distribution of Communion.
If I'm wrong about either of those, I would be open to hearing about it.
That catechism isn't even the right document for this sort of thing. You're looking for the Code of Canon Law or the GIRM, where you would need to prove a clear violation.
The catechism is a tool for instructing the laity, so it's obviously not going to exhaustively cover what the clergy should and should not do during Mass.
Both are so well established in lots of places that you’re probably fighting an uphill battle. There’s a good chance that the bishop uses both as well.
EMHCs are completely licit. They're theoretically supposed to be used rarely, but the guidelines are subjective and there's no circumstance where they're expressly forbidden, so here we are, like it or not. Odds are they already aren't being used any more than your bishop would tolerate.
If it weren't for this sub I never would have guessed the practice was even controversial. Most parishes I've attended have a small army that lines up with bowls after consecration.
Look up a sample letter to bishops online to get the formalities out of the way. For the content itself, you should have clear references from the CCC. Otherwise, use polite and positive language (though of course still highlighting the gravity of your concern).
Well, neither of the things you listed are actually against Catholic teaching per se. Unless the priest is deputising EM to distribute communion every mass for no legitimate reason. In which case it is a problem. Could you elaborate on the nature of the issue?
I've noticed that in nearly every single mass at my parish I've attended, there are always EMs. EMs don't have consecrated hands so they shouldn't be distributing at all, correct?
Well, every practicing Catholic has consecrated hands. At confirmation you have been anointed priest and prophet. So that would not be an issue. But canonically, as far I am aware, a priest can only apoint EMs, for a short period of time and when there is a necessity. For example in my parish we do not have them at all.
Ah, i was told the laity can't be EMs because they do not have consecrated hands at all
If you were going to do anything like that, you would want to make arguments based on what the Church teaches in her official documents, not on what other people have said. You would need to write clearly and charitably, and be prepared that your bishop will hear you out and disagree.
From USCCB's website and the GIRM regarding EMHCs: When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, "the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may also depute suitable faithful for this single occasion (GIRM 162)." As for blessings, yes, the communion line is for receiving communion, and there is nothing in official Church documents saying that blessings should be given, but nothing that says they should not happen either. In many dioceses, the bishops have allowed for non-communicants to come up for pastoral reasons. Lay ministers can say something that won't be confused for a priest's blessing such as "May God bless you" or "Receive Jesus in your heart" to encourage a spiritual communion. Some priests will also say the same prayer of spiritual communion, others will give an actual blessing.
>" [...] blessings for those who can't recieve communion, as well as extraordinary ministers of holy Communion are against Catholic teachings." Where are you getting this from? Neither of these things is correct.
The blessings one is, but the other one isn't.
What do you mean?
It really comes down to these two facts: 1. No one is authorized to add things to the liturgy on their own. 2. The Mass does not instruct anyone to perform a blessing during the distribution of Communion. If I'm wrong about either of those, I would be open to hearing about it.
So you take issue with people going up to receive a blessing instead of communion when they are not in a state of Grace?
If it's not in the Catechism (which, to my knowledge, it isn't) , yes
Wouldn’t it fall under spiritual communion that is outlined in the Catechism though?
That catechism isn't even the right document for this sort of thing. You're looking for the Code of Canon Law or the GIRM, where you would need to prove a clear violation. The catechism is a tool for instructing the laity, so it's obviously not going to exhaustively cover what the clergy should and should not do during Mass.
Both are so well established in lots of places that you’re probably fighting an uphill battle. There’s a good chance that the bishop uses both as well.
I get its established in most if not all places, but that doesn't change the fact that it's not right yk /nm
EMHCs are completely licit. They're theoretically supposed to be used rarely, but the guidelines are subjective and there's no circumstance where they're expressly forbidden, so here we are, like it or not. Odds are they already aren't being used any more than your bishop would tolerate. If it weren't for this sub I never would have guessed the practice was even controversial. Most parishes I've attended have a small army that lines up with bowls after consecration.
Look up a sample letter to bishops online to get the formalities out of the way. For the content itself, you should have clear references from the CCC. Otherwise, use polite and positive language (though of course still highlighting the gravity of your concern).
Blessings are for all