1855 K Sun 21 April 2002
I have found another problem with the "Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America
It has:
49. Holy Communion may be distributed by intinction in the following manner: "the communicant, while holding the paten under the chin, approaches the priest who holds the chalice and at whose side stands the minister holding the vessel with the hosts. The priest takes the host, intincts the particle into the chalice and, showing it, says: 'The Body and Blood of Christ.' The communicant responds, 'Amen,' and receives the Sacrament on the tongue from the priest. Afterwards, the communicant returns to his or her place." (Footnote 54: GIRM, no. 287)
This is what the 2000 Institutio Generalis had. But the 2002 Institutio Generalis changed it. No longer is it "the priest who holds the chalice". He now holds the vessel with the hosts. By making this change it removed a contradiction with GIRM 191, which has the acolyte holding the chalice.
So by approving these Norms "All things to the contrary notwithstanding" on 22 March 2002 Cardinal Medina Estevez seems to have reinstated this contradiction for the Dioceses of the United States. Would he have meant to? I doubt it. Would that have been the intention of the US bishops when they approved the document on15 June 2001? No, they were using the 2000 GIRM then.
The decree Most Reverend Wilton Gregory as posted with the Norms gives the date of "15 June 2002" as the day of their decision, but since that has not arrived yet, it must be referring to 2001.
I think the US bishops will should reconsider the Norms, decide
whether they are necessary and ask Cardinal Medina Estevez to
approve something to allow the acolyte to hold the chalice, not
the priest.
Copyright J.R. Lilburne, 21 April 2002. Last modified 22 April 2002.
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