Bishop calls receiving Communion on the tongue more reverent

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“It is not a question of ritualism, but a question of faith and love for Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Comments: 13

Bishop Athanasius Schneider

CNA STAFF, Mar 5, 2008 / 06:21 am (CNA).- Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of Kazakhstan, in a new interview has expanded his advocacy of reverence at Mass and receiving Holy Communion on the tongue.

The Vatican Editing House recently released Bishop Schneider’s book "Dominus Est: Meditations of a Bishop from Central Asia on the Sacred Eucharist." The book contains a foreword by Archbishop Albert Malcolm Ranjith, the Vatican’s Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments.

In a video interview conducted by gloria.tv, Bishop Schneider said that his book aims to "strengthen the consciousness" of the holiness of Mass among the clergy and laity.

The archbishop said that contemporary celebrations of Mass were "so superficial," lacking "due concentration" and "visible, external signs of reverence."

"We are composed of body and soul," Bishop Schneider said. "We have to worship and to adore Christ in this moment also with our body. There is a mutual influence between the exterior sign and the interior disposition.

“Therefore, here is not a question of some 'right,' but here is a question of-- we are dealing with the Lord Himself, and therefore we cannot be silent, especially I as bishop, and say 'OK, it's all OK.' It's not all OK. When we love our Lord, we have to strengthen this moment in order that it become more sacred in order to educate the exterior sign of adoration, which is also an education of faith."

He referred to the common formal gestures used to greet a president, a king, or a queen, saying comparable respect for the King of Kings was necessary.

"It is not a question of ritualism,” he said, “but a question of faith and love for Our Lord, Jesus Christ."

The archbishop responded to one objection to receiving Holy Communion in the hand, which claims that because one sins more with the tongue than with the hand, the hand is more fitting to receive the Sacrament. He dismissed the argument, by saying that, "In any case, Holy Communion comes on the tongue."

In the interview, Bishop Schneider also addressed the history of the reception of Holy Communion and the question of whether contemporary abuses, such as receiving Holy Communion while chewing gum, can be corrected.

You can watch the interview here: http://www.gloria.tv/?video=ptgsa3bs9lgyidmdvpar

Comments: 13

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Don Galliano
USA 10/11/2009 09:41 PM EST

Michael, you should show more respect for someone who is a Bishop and a Patristic scholar. His expertise on this issue is impeccable. Bishop Schneider admits that Communion in the hand was practiced at times in the early Church, but for very specific reasons. He also explains that it was practiced much differently compared to today. In the early Church, a person had to go through a ceremonial washing of the hands after he or she received the Eucharist. That is one point that the bishop has made yet it is one that is often overlooked by those who are quick to judge him. He also never said a person who receives CITH is guilty of anything. All he is saying is that Communion on the tongue is still the "norm" and that it has always increased the sense of the sacred among the faithful and that it is a practice that has a better chance to protect the Eucharist from abuses. Diocesan priests have personally told me horror stories many times over dinner. They wish CITH would come to an end and that Communion on the tongue will once again become universal in the Latin Rite. Also, it is not wrong for someone to prefer to receive Communion from priests. That has always been the norm until after the Second Vatican Council. The idea of an "Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist" is an innovation that is Protestant and one that lacks any historical record in the Church. It is a product of Neo-Modernism that sought to equate the ministerial and common priesthood.

Published by: CatholicXVI
USA 05/25/2009 11:53 PM EST

In reply to Alistair:

If you watch the actual video of this interview, you will better understand why the Bishop is taking this stance. You would especially understand if you knew how many abuses have taken place in the Novus Ordo Mass. SO many priests and laity have abused Vatican II, and they show less respect to the Eucharist

Published by: Catholic XVI
USA 05/14/2009 10:18 PM EST

Receiving on the hand causes many to think that they have some sort of right to receive Jesus whenever they want. I have heard many "hand-users" say that it makes them feel stronger--like they can bring Christ to themselves... even though they are not to view it as giving themselves communion... only a priest can give communion... and now Vatican II makes it so tht he can work through EMHC's to do so.

I'm with Pope Benedict XVI and his battle for reverance in receiving no the tongue... and even more greatly, while kneeling or after genuflecting.

Published by: alistair
UK 05/07/2009 10:09 AM EST

Communion in the hand is a beautiful custom, but requires more catechesis.

Published by: Leopold Palencia
SSF, California, USA 05/05/2009 08:10 PM EST

I Thank You Very Much! Archbishop S., I agree with you, It's a question of: knowing, loving, and giving the greatest honor to Our God during this moment of receiving The Faithful and True, The Lord of Lords, The King of Kings, Let's love Our Lord during this few minutes, truly present with all heart and soul, Let's ask the fervor of the angels, the perfumes of the flowers, the Immaculate heart of Mary, the pure heart of St Joseph to adore and fulfil the First Commandment which is to Love God above all things with all our heart, mind, body (kneeling) and strenght. Of course all the laities are challenged to do this, but we also know that many are called but few has the courage, Fear is useless, trust is needed, Pray to the Holy Spirit or a rosary for courage.

Published by: Sheryl G.
Lumberton, TX USA 01/26/2009 11:56 AM EST

I agree that communion should be received on the tongue. When our church started the practice of giving communion on the hand or on the tongue, I have never received communion other than on my tongue. It seems more reverent that way, it's the old way (which I prefer and I even prefer the old way of saying the Mass in Latin) and I have also never received communion from anyone other than the priest. I don't believe that anyone other than the priest should be able to give the Host to anyone.

Published by: Diane
Michigan USA 03/10/2008 06:33 AM EST

If you watch the video on gloria TV, you will see that Bishop Schneider talks about the ancient practice of receiving in the hand before it was ended. It was done entirely different back then and the hands of those who received had to be purified much like the chalice and paten.

There is nothing extreme about wanting to receive Our Lord during an act of adoration which is what we do when we are on our knees.

Published by: ssoldie
Brainerd Mn 56401 03/06/2008 04:43 PM EST

When you are in the state of sanctifying Grace so is your tongue as you have been fasting,& so it should be. Where your hands have been prior to recieving our Lord,we know not However the hands of the priest, we know are not onl Ordained but also cleansed so it is the only way to recieve our Lord God.

Published by: stainless
houston tx usa 03/06/2008 02:52 PM EST

During the Protestant reformation Cramer would be proud of both Charles and Michael.
It is true that for a short while Communion was allowed by hand, however as tradition evolved and to prevent abuse this practice was stopped in the 2 to 3rd century. It was not until the reformation that the protestant cramer decided to have communion in the hands because the protestants did not believe in the holy sacrifice of the mass, nor the concencration of the priests hands!
If these men knew their catholic faith they would do ALL to protect and serve Our God. Remember we are not to bring God down to our level, nor are we to try and be on His Level. Try the words of St Michael when Satan wished to assume God's position: Who is like to Almighty God in power and majesty?
we are to appoach the Holy of Holies in Fear, with meekness and humility.....Thanks be to God!!!

Published by: Charles Meagher
Ireland 03/06/2008 04:21 AM EST

Rate: Regular

i Believe that Bishop Schneider has got it totally wrong. On the contrary - communion other than on to the hand is grossly irreverent. shows lack of pastoral experience

Published by: rob
toronto 03/05/2008 08:11 PM EST

The Pope must reclaim
the traditional holiness and piety for the Universal Church by imposing rule for Communion on the tongue. Greater reverence and love for our Lord in the Eucharist and for the Mass must be emphasised.

Published by: Solange Miller
Montreal, Canada 03/05/2008 02:13 PM EST

Post subject:Communion in the hand: see Fr. Z's blog

Published by: Michael
Cape Cod USA 03/05/2008 01:34 PM EST

Rate: Regular

This is a ridiculous position by Bishop Schneider. Early Christians used to nail the host to the masts of ships to assure safety in voyages. Are we to assume that the masts of ships are more guilty of sin than the human hand or tongue? The kind of thinking which wastes time on issues like this is the thinking which prefers to receive communion from a priest rather than a Eucharistic Minister. It's a crazy streak of extremist Catholicism.

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