The archbishop of Kampala forbids communion in the hand

The archbishop of Kampala forbade receiving Holy Communion.

In a decree issued on Saturday 1 February, Archbishop Cipriano Kizito Lwanga also prohibited the celebration of mass in buildings other than churches. He also reminded Catholics that members of the faithful who have not been appointed extraordinary ministers by the competent authority cannot distribute Communion.

"From now on, it is forbidden to distribute or receive Holy Communion in the hands," wrote the archbishop. “The Mother Church requires us to hold the Most Holy Eucharist in the highest honor (Can. 898). Because of many reported cases of dishonor of the Eucharist associated with receiving the Eucharist in the hands, it is appropriate to return to the most reverent method of receiving the Eucharist on the tongue ".

PML Daily says that many Catholics have held masses in their homes, however the new rules state: "The Eucharist will henceforth be celebrated in designated sacred places because there is an adequate number of such places designated in the archdiocese for this purpose."

Archbishop Lwanga also provided guidance to extraordinary ministers, reminding Catholics that bishops, priests and deacons should normally distribute Communion, adding that it is "forbidden to a faithful who has not been designated as an extraordinary minister of communion (Can. 910 § 2) by the competent ecclesiastical authority to distribute Holy Communion.

"Furthermore, before distributing Holy Communion, the Extraordinary Minister must first receive Holy Communion from the ordinary Minister," added the archbishop.

The archbishop also invited priests to wear the right clothes during mass and during the distribution of Communion. "It is strictly forbidden to admit any priest who is not adequately invested with the prescribed liturgical vestments as a co-celebrant," he said. “Such a priest should neither concelebrate nor attend the distribution of Holy Communion. Furthermore, he should not sit in the sanctuary, but rather sit among the faithful in the congregation. "