During this Chinese COVID-1984 virus pandemic, some bishops have, ultra vires, improperly restricted Communion on the tongue, ostensibly out of concern for public health. When questioned, some have succumbed to the temptation to double-down on poorly crafted and unfortunately worded restrictive policies which their staff have put together. Moreover, such policies contradict obvious and easily understood law in the matter of Communion on the tongue (e.g., RS 92). Their arguments are not convincing. Their attitude is more alarming yet.
One bishop, however, has reviewed his policy and has issued a clarification.
Bishop Douglas Deshotel of Lafayette issued a letter on 12 May which which reaffirms the right of the faithful to receive Communion on the tongue with reasonable precautions. He revised his stance after the USCCB issued its “ruling”, as he called it. He makes an appeal to good judgment and common sense.
Bp. Deshotel is to be applauded for having the backbone to move from his previous position.
Fr. Z kudos.
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I had heard that the USCCB had made a ruling on this. Do you know where it can be found?
To Dan… here is an article with more detail on that:
https://www.ncronline.org/news/coronavirus/us-bishops-guidelines-reopening-mass-groups-10-sanitizer-during-communion
and the guidelines themselves:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/580e5b23579fb3fdc10ab03c/t/5eab382772d9460d3e375c76/1588279335659/Guidelines+for+Mass+(4.28.2020).pdf
I’m glad to see he had the humility to admit his mistake and offer a correction. I wouldn’t go so far as to crediting him with a backbone, though. I don’t think any of our US bishops have shown any backbone in the last 2 months. If they had one, they wouldn’t have fallen down before the feet Caesar and closed down all public Masses for the exact period of time demanded. They would have made up their own minds. More can be said for certain Protestant ministers who are willing to take the risk.
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