Extension of Vessel Purification Indult Denied...

This won't bode well for many who merely refer to the purification of sacred vessels as "doing the dishes", but this 3 year experimental indult expired last last year! Of course, as has been the custom of the USCCB(NCCB) and many American bishops, an indult becomes normative after its experimental time ends. At times, flagrant disregard of Vatican norms has been common...

Lay ministers may not cleanse Communion vessels, Pope Benedict says

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- At the direction of Pope Benedict XVI, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion will no longer be permitted to assist in the purification of the sacred vessels at Masses in the United States.

In an Oct. 23 letter, Bishop William S. Skylstad, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, asked his fellow bishops to inform all pastors of the change, which was prompted by a letter from Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

The U.S. bishops had asked the Vatican to extend an indult -- or church permission -- in effect since 2002 allowing extraordinary ministers of holy Communion to help cleanse the Communion cups and plates when there were not enough priests or deacons to do so.

"Communion cups and plates"? Is it any wonder some refer to the purification as "doin' dishes"? It's more than shameful when an allegedly Catholic institution such as CNS fails to demonstrate a proper respect for sacred vessels which are used for the Body and Blood of our Lord.

May God Bless and Keep Pope Benedict XVI!

Source.