By Marie Mulvenna

Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan has granted his approval for local use of the faculty permitting extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. In a letter to all priests, the archbishop this week announced, “It is my intention to implement this faculty in this archdiocese in accordance with the directives prepared by the archdiocesan liturgical commission.”

The directives, which are to be issued to all parishes on April 4, are currently being prepared by the liturgical commission and will include specific guidelines and norms to be followed in permitting lay men and women to assist in the distribution of the Eucharist.

The detailed instruction of the liturgical commission will require that the candidates be chosen and recommended by their pastors in writing to the archbishop who then delegates the specific candidates. In addition to the norms for selection of the lay persons, determined by pastoral needs, a comprehensive catechesis is planned for use in all parishes of the archdiocese. The catechesis on the significance of lay ministers of the Eucharist as well as its implications is to be completed in all parishes by April 29.

Father Henry Gracz, priest-secretary of the commission, explained that the extraordinary minister is at all times a lay person and comes forth as a member of his or her worship community to take on a role of ministerial function for the benefit of the people. “In reality,” Father stated, “the person chosen is an exemplary one in the worshipping community and his role would greatly help meet the current needs of the Church in assisting the celebrant with the distribution of the Eucharist.”

On May 3, the liturgical commission will conduct an in-depth training session for those candidates selected by their respective pastors and deputed by the archbishop as lay ministers.

Ceremonies of deputation will then be held by the archbishop in each parish where the faculty for lay ministers has been requested. During the special ceremony, the delegated lay persons will be recognized and designated by Archbishop Donnellan to present the sacrament of the Eucharist to the faithful.

The instruction Immensae Caritatis, issued by the Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments at the direction of Pope Paul VI, contains certain norms facilitating sacramental communion in particular circumstances. The faculty to permit extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist is granted by indult of the Holy See to the local ordinary and he alone may permit use of the faculty.

In announcing his permission for use of the faculty in Atlanta, Archbishop Donnellan said, “I am hopeful that the use of the provision of this instruction will bring about a greater devotion to Our Lord in the Eucharist … while preserving the utmost reverence due to the great sacrament.”