It seems like just a weak attempt to keep lay men going to Mass; the discussion regarding women as deacons is more of the same. When playing “Eucharistic Minister” just doesn’t cut it, they kick it up a notch; why are lay people still distributing Communion when we have “permanent deacons”?
I'm with you on that one. I really disapprove of the clericalization of the laity, as well as the laicization of the clergy. Let the priests wear their cassocks and birettas all the time, and devote themselves to the Sacraments, the Liturgy, and the transmission (not ad-lib modification) of Doctrine which has been handed on to us from the Apostles. Let the deacons (who are also clergy, not laity) attend to every liturgical role assisting the priest.
Let the laity participate in a modest and restrained way, keep out of the Sanctuary, and keep their un-consecrated hands off of the sacred vessels.