Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, October 25, 2002 New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has sent to all diocesan priests and deacons a copy of the recently promulgated “Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America.” In his cover letter, the bishop called the norms a “very important and useful document, now in effect for the Church in the United States” and drew attention to several points. The document states that, “The diocesan Bishop may lay down norms for the distribution of Communion under both kinds for his own diocese, which must be observed.” It goes on to say that “the diocesan Bishop also has the faculty to allow Communion under both kinds, whenever it seems appropriate, to the priest to whom charge of a given community has been entrusted.” (#24) Bishop Tobin said he “confirmed the present practice in the Diocese of Youngstown, namely, that priests may use their discretion in determining when the distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds is possible and appropriate in his own community.” The bishop said “the document emphasizes the positive value of distributing Holy Communion under both forms. ‘For just as Christ offered his whole self, body and blood, as a sacrifice for our sins, so too is our reception of his Body and Blood under both kinds an especially fitting participation in his memorial of eternal life.’ (#16) And again, ‘Holy Communion has a more complete form as a sign when it is received under both kinds.’ (#20) Therefore, the faithful should be encouraged to receive Holy Communion in this manner whenever possible.” Bishop Tobin’s letter to the priests and deacons adds that “the distribution of Holy Communion under both forms is never required (except for concelebrating priests, of course) and, indeed there may be times when it is impossible or impractical to do so. Whenever Holy Communion is distributed under only one form, ‘It should never be construed that Communion under the form of bread alone or Communion under the form of wine alone is somehow an incomplete act or that Christ is not fully present to the communicant…. The Church has always taught the doctrine of concomitance, by which we know that under each species alone, the whole Christ is sacramentally present and we receive all the fruit of Eucharistic grace.’ (#15) Because there has been some confusion on this point in the recent past it would be helpful to remind your parishioners of this teaching.” The bishop said the promulgation of this document “provides another excellent opportunity for catechesis of all the faithful, and especially all those involved in Eucharistic ministry, concerning some key elements of our Eucharistic faith and practice. These points include: the ecclesial nature of the Eucharist; the multiple meanings of the Eucharist; the real presence of Christ in the Eucharistic elements; the kinds of reverence due at all times to the sacrament; and the important liturgical distinction between ordinary and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist.” (c.f. #25) According to Bishop Tobin, the document “goes into some detail about approved norms for the distribution of Holy Communion. [The norms state,]‘If extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are required by pastoral need, they approach the altar as the priest receives Communion.’” Additionally, he said, the revised norms clearly specify the order in which Holy Communion should be received by the ministers and distributed. The norms note that “neither deacons nor lay ministers may ever receive Holy Communion in the manner of a concelebrating priest. The practice of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion waiting to receive Holy Communion until after the distribution of Holy Communion is not in accord with liturgical law.” (#38-39) The bishop told priests and deacons that “parishes that have adopted practices contrary to these norms should implement the correct procedures without delay.” The Norms speak of the reverence due the Most Holy Sacrament. “All ministers of Holy Communion should show the greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread or wine.” (#29) In particular, “The reverence due to the Precious Blood of the Lord demands that it be fully consumed after Communion is completed and never be poured into the ground or the sacrarium.” (#55) The Norms conclude with the affirmation that in the “esteemed practice” of distributing Communion under both kinds, “Christian faith in the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist can only be renewed and deepened.” (#56) The bishop encouraged pastors of the Youngstown Diocese to “use this splendid opportunity to preach about the Eucharist, to inspire sincere devotion and reverence for the Body and Blood of Christ, and to instruct the faithful in the correct use of these particular norms.” Additional copies of this document are readily available from the Publishing Office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001