Lay ministers of holy Communion should stop offering "blessings-in-lieu-of-Communion" at Mass

Dr Edward Peters writes:

Concerns about swine flu have prompted many parishes to discontinue the routine administration of the Precious Blood. Okay, fine.*

But there's another Communion rite practice that should also cease if only out of concerns for public health. This time, however, it's a practice that (unlike distribution from the Cup) is an abuse per se, namely, that of lay ministers of holy Communion purporting to confer “blessings-in-lieu-of-Communion" on every Tom, Pat, and Harriet who comes up in line.

Many have seen this "abuse" a number of times, especially when confronted by horders of Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. It's nice to see it being addressed again. Perhaps, some day, we might see a restoration of liturgical norms in parishes...

Read more about what Dr Peters says here.