N.Y. bishop ends practice of Communion at celebration of the word

Published: 2008-05-09

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., has ordered an end to weekday Communion services outside the context of Mass by July 1. Citing guidelines for the distribution of Communion in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Bishop Murphy said in a May 9 pastoral letter that his decision would bring the diocese "into conformity with the liturgical norms of the church." The order applies to parishes, schools and social and charitable organizations which had adopted the practice of offering "celebrations of the word" with the distribution of Communion when no daily Mass was scheduled. Such usually brief services often were led by laypeople, nuns or brothers. The distribution of Communion to the sick outside of Mass is permitted as long as the proper ritual is followed, he added. Bishop Murphy said his decision was made after consulting with the diocese's Advisory Committee on Canonical Affairs and the Presbyteral Council.

Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .