[sinkspur]

EMs, perhaps unwittingly, help blur the distinction between priest and laity and water down belief in the Real Presense.

Does a priest who lives a lavish lifestyle water down belief in the Real Presence?

Most EMs I've seen are at least as, if not more, reverent in their manner of distribution than many priests. Perhaps these laymen affect your view of the Eucharist, but that doesn't seem to be the case with the vast majority of Catholics.

[Romulus]

Unless you're talking about a priest or deacon, there's no such thing as a "Eucharistic Minister."

[sempertrad]

Does a priest who lives a lavish lifestyle water down belief in the Real Presence?

Well, I guess indirectly he does. The priesthood is a life of sacrifice - the man dies to himself and lives for his flock as an Ambassador of Christ. If a priest lives a "lavish lifestyle" (how is that possible, anyway?) he certainly doesn't demonstrate any real belief in sacrifice, taking up one's cross or a rejection of worldliness.

Most EMs I've seen are at least as, if not more, reverent in their manner of distribution than many priests.

Its been a decade since I've received at a NO Mass. IIRC, Communion was distributed in same manner by both priests and EMs. You approach, they say "Body of Christ" and place It in your hand. Its pretty hard to do this reverently or irreverently. Its an indifferent action. Sometimes an EM or a priest would smile at you as you received, others didn't. A smile is nice, but its just a friendly gesture between people. It has nothing to do with reverence for the Eucharist.

Perhaps these laymen affect your view of the Eucharist, but that doesn't seem to be the case with the vast majority of Catholics.

Neither you nor I can possibly know what's the case of the "vast majority" of Catholics. If the NO parishes of my diocese are a reflection of the "vast majority" then I'd say that the belief is in the Real Presense has been watered down. You (not you personally) just wouldn't handle the Host as you would a cracker if you believe Its truly Christ. If you believed the priest is an Alter Christi, you wouldn't take from anyone else, nor would you insist on playing the part of one at Communion time, if you truly believed Christ was present in the Host, or had respect for the priesthood and its elevated status. You wouldn't receive or distribute Communion in the same manner as Protestants - who believe communion is symbolic - if you truly believed Christ was present Body and Blood in Holy Communion.