Posted by Phil on June 30, 1999 at 11:49:13:
In Reply to: Re: Communion in Hand posted by Anne Ward on June 25, 1999 at 12:49:28:
Dear Anne,
You certainly do have the fervor of a convert, and that's very good. But there is no need to fear that a practice such as communion in the hand is going to de-rail the Catholic Church in any way.
While I don't have the time nor the inclination to look up all the pertinent documents for you, I can assure you that this widespread practice indicates that it is permissible by Rome. No bishop could really allow it to happen were it not so.
Also, receiving the wafer on the tongue does not safeguard against abuse. One could just hold it in the mouth, then walk out of Church and do whatever one wanted--and such has happened.
Keep in mind that the first forms of communion bread were Jewish matzos, which crumbles all over the place when broken. The nice, neat round wafers came much later.
And, as for ordained hands, again I'm sure that the concession to allow for Eucharistic ministers must somehow take this into account.
Hang in there, Anne. The Church is not really compromising on the issues you feel most urgent.
Love,
Phil