What do Catholic Christians think about receiving Holy Communion from particular Bishops, Priest and the Lay Faithful?

Rev. Sr. Appolonia Budzee

Insisting on receiving Holy Communion from a particular minister is a sign of disorientation in relation to the person of Jesus. If one receives the body of Christ, yet shuns the person giving it, then there is a fragment in one’s faith.

 Dominique Ngalim

People who prefer to receive Holy Communion from particular ministers should have a reason for that. Though lack of proper Catholic Doctrine may be responsible for this, priests who are rightly or wrongly accused of some ills are generally avoided. This is a human weakness, which is not easy to avoid. This practice will persist if priests cannot manage the challenges in their ministry well. Priests should learn to live up to expectation so that such conducts do not come up. Christians should also accept the Catholic Church’s teachings with regards to Holy Communion.
 

Joseph Jumbam

It makes no difference receiving communion from a priest or religious. What matters is the fact that you are receiving the body of Christ. However, some people use this occasion to meet particular church ministers they may not have the chance of meeting out of church. It is hard to discourage such practices even though graces do not follow a particular minister. In my case, I receive Holy Communion from whomever is giving it.
 

Pascaline Lantam

Christians often scramble to receive Common from the Cardinal or the Archbishop when they pay a pastoral visit because they do not come visiting all the time. Christians also consider them holier than other priests and religious. We scramble to receive Holy Communion from superior Church officials because we believe we will get more blessings from them. I prefer receiving Holy Communion from a Cardinal, Bishop or priest and not from a Lay Faithful. Some Lay Faithful, who share the body of Christ, do not lead exemplary lives. Some do things that force one to ask why they are permitted to share the body of Christ. So when I find myself in front them, I am not comfortable. I feel when one receives Communion from a laity; one may not have the desired spiritual benefit. 


Margaret Mary Nyoh

I like to receive Holy Communion from a Cardinal or Bishop because I think they are holier than priests. This is however a mistake on Christians’ part because it is not the Bishop or Cardinal we are receiving but the Body of Christ. Humans are simply instruments sharing the host. Such misleading behaviour is normal because in our society people go for things that are in high places. I receive communion from the Cardinal or Bishop because it is a privilege. I have noticed that during Communion some Christians only receive Communion from priests who are their friends. This kind of behaviour is not good.


Henry Fongum

For me receiving Holy Communion from whomever does not matter. It is all about what is in one’s heart and what one feels about God. On several occasions I have noticed when the Cardinal or the Bishop comes on a pastoral visit, many people queue up to receive Communion from the central aisle where he gives Communion and forget priests who serve them daily. Some feel the Bishop is holier and by receiving communion from him they get more graces.


Anabella Tumenta

It is normal for Christians to receive Holy Communion from either a particular Bishop or priest. Depending on how I feel, I decide to receive Communion from a particular priest and not from another. Sometimes the way a priest preaches is so convincing that I believe he is filled with the Holy Spirit and I decide to receive Communion from him. I do not like receiving Communion from Reverend Brothers and Sisters, talk less of a Lay Faithful.