Posted on 04/21/2020 6:17:02 PM PDT by marshmallow
ROME - Looking for a way to provide both spiritual and physical care on Easter, a group of Italian doctors received their bishop’s permission to distribute Communion to those infected by the coronavirus.
According to an article published April 15 by Avvenire, the daily newspaper of the Italian bishops’ conference, six doctors caring for coronavirus patients at a hospital in Prato, located in Tuscany, presented the idea to the chaplain and subsequently received support from Bishop Giovanni Nerbini of Prato.
Nerbini made the six doctors extraordinary eucharistic ministers, allowing them to give Communion to over 100 patients on Easter.
“I cried with the patients. Hospitals are places of care, but we can’t think of separating the body from the spirit,” Filippo Risaliti, one of the doctors who distributed the Eucharist, told Avvenire. “I realized that in the fight against coronavirus, our effort is too focused on fighting the physical ills of the patients.”
Risaliti said the idea was inspired by Pope Francis’ call for doctors and medical professionals “to play the role of intermediaries of the church for people who are suffering.”
“We are the only ones who could do it, since only we can enter those rooms,” he said.
Dressed in protective gear, the hospital chaplain, Father Carlo Bergamaschi, accompanied the doctors distributing Communion. The priest carried a ciborium filled with consecrated hosts, which were individually separated by gauze pads to avoid contamination.
(Excerpt) Read more at cruxnow.com ...
Better than the Swiss Bishops, who really cheese me off. You’d think the Swiss would be more holy.
The hierarchy has failed miserably in this - to the point where they may not be able to recover. The Eucharist is the right of faithful, not some trinket to be handed out by the bishops (or deputized doctors) when they see fit.
I am disgusted on so many levels and in so many ways by the hierarchy of the Church. From (especially) the top on down, there will literally be hell to pay.
What should the church be doing in your opinion?
A doctor may be able to act as an Extraordinary Minister and distribute Holy Communion (if no priests are available), but he can't hear confession (and give absolution) and he can't administer Last Rites.
What should the Church be doing?
It’s mission, seeing to the salvation of souls.
Bishops should be guiding their priests on the safest and, if possible, law abiding, ways to administer the sacraments to the faithful. They should be equipped with viaticum and PPE and told to get out there and minister.
The liquor stores are open and serving, the churches are closed and shuttered. Booze is essential and sanctifying grace is not?
Death was defeated 2000 years ago and the Church is acting as if it were not. I see fear where there should be joy and confidence in the Risen Lord.
What should the Church do? - As Christ instructed it to do, not to behave as an NGO.
“What should the Church do? - As Christ instructed it to do, not to behave as an NGO.”
I’m serious here: What about drive in services, the way evangelicals are doing, with distribution of communion car by car, by a priest and lay eucharistic ministers, wearing masks and gloves?
‘I’m serious here: What about drive in services, the way evangelicals are doing, with distribution of communion car by car, by a priest and lay eucharistic ministers, wearing masks and gloves?“
Absolutely! Why isn’t this happening? It makes no sense!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.