[annalex]

I heard fragments of that interview. One story he told:

After much trouble with the Soviet authority the young Schneider and his family ended up in West Germany in the early eighties.

As a farewell warning, their priest in their native Estonia cautioned them that in Germany they might find some parishes where the Holy Communion is given in the hand. “It is a new fashion out there, but only a few parishes do that. If you chance upoin such parish, don’t go there and find another”.

Once settled in a small town in West Germany, they went to Mass, and sure enough the communion was given in the hand. Terrified, they went to another parish and then another... There were four Catholic churches in the town and all four gave Communion in the hand. He remembers his mother weeping after she realized that with the freedom they gained, they also lost the ability to receive the Holy Communion properly.

[annalex]

early eighties -> early 70’s

[NYer]

Yes .. I was absolutely riveted to the tv! We take far too much for granted in this country. The bishop's family used to travel 60 miles each way on Sunday to attend Mass. It was forbidden to bring children. There were 4 children in the family and his parents would pack them on a train that left around 6am while it was still dark. After Mass, the priest would invite the family to remain at his 'house' (only one room) until dark and they would travel back home around 11 at night.

This could happen here.