Article — Gury-Ballerini, Compendium of Moral Theology (8th ed., 1884)
Article II. On the Obligation of Dispensing the Eucharist
- Principles. - I. A Parish Priest, or any Priest having care of souls, is bound from justice to minister the Eucharist to his subjects not only at Easter and in death, but also whenever they reasonably ask, yet a legitimate cause of impediment being excluded. The reason is that it belongs to the Parish Priest from a quasi-contract to provide not only that the faithful fulfill the precepts, but also that they not lack helps which greatly profit spiritual progress. - St. Ligorius, Homo apostolicus, n. 8.
II. Any Priest, whether secular or regular, is bound, when the Parish Priest is lacking, to minister the Eucharist to one about to die; otherwise in other cases. The reason of the first is that anyone from charity is bound to come to the aid of his neighbor placed in so great an extremity by this salutary and most efficacious remedy. The reason of the second is clear. For no obligation intervenes, whether from justice, since there is no contract, or from charity, since a case of necessity is not supposed to be present.
- Questions. - QUESTION 1. Whether the Parish Priest is bound also to seek out the sick who are not asking for the Eucharist, in order that he may minister it to them?
Resp. The answer is affirmative, at least if they are in grave danger of death. The reason is that it is the office of a good Pastor to take care that this so salutary remedy be supplied to his sheep constituted in so great a danger. It is besides gathered from Canon Law, title On the celebration of Masses.
QUESTION 2. Whether the Parish Priest is bound to minister the Eucharist to his subjects by himself?
Resp. No. For it suffices if he provides that whoever opportunely asks, or needs, is not deprived of the same. Therefore he can fulfill the obligation even through others. Nevertheless he must take care lest he seem idle and unconcerned if he habitually fulfills his duties through others.
QUESTION 3. Whether the Parish Priest sins gravely whenever he denies the Eucharist to one reasonably asking?
Resp. No. For if he rarely does this, for example toward one or another, scandal or grave sadness of the petitioner being excluded, he will sin only venially. The reason is that thus neither grave injury nor grave harm is inflicted, and if there is harm, it can easily be repaired. - Thus all. - Recall the things said on the Sacraments in general, n. 216.
QUESTION 4. Whether the Parish Priest is bound to minister the Eucharist even with danger of life, for example in time of plague or contagious disease?
Resp. No, very probably with St. Ligorius, n. 233. - See the things said, n. 214. Nevertheless certain persons affirm, relying on the doctrine of Benedict XIV, De Syn. dioec., lib. 13, c. 19.
- QUESTION 5. When is the Parish Priest judged to be excused from ministering the Eucharist to subjects asking?
Resp. He is legitimately excused: 1. when subjects, because of some circumstances, do not ask reasonably, for example if they ask before Mass when they can easily wait, etc.; 2. if the parish priest himself is impeded because of infirmity or other necessary occupations, etc. Nevertheless one must act cautiously, because in these matters the faithful can easily take scandal and be kept away from receiving the Sacraments more often. - Thus all.