ARTICLE II: ON THE OBLIGATION OF DISTRIBUTING THE EUCHARIST

1289. Principles. - I. The Pastor, or any priest having care of souls, is held from justice to minister the Eucharist to his subjects not only at Easter and in death, but also as often as they reasonably ask, excluding, however, a legitimate cause of impediment. The reason is because it pertains to the Pastor, from a quasi-contract, to provide not only that the faithful fulfill the precepts, but also that they not lack the helps which very much profit spiritual advancement.²

II. Any priest, whether secular or regular, is held, if the Pastor is lacking, to minister the Eucharist to one about to die; otherwise in other cases. The reason of the first is because anyone from charity is held to succor his neighbor placed in so great an extremity by this salutary and most efficacious remedy. The reason of the second is clear.

III. To one dying, especially not yet confessed, Viaticum must be brought, even if therefore the people would have to lack Mass of precept, as is clear.

1290. Questions. - Query 1° Is the Pastor held also to investigate sick persons not asking for the Eucharist, that he may minister it to them?

Resp. Affirmatively, at least if they are in grave danger of death. The reason is because it is the office of a good Pastor to take care that to his sheep, placed in so great a danger, so salutary a remedy be supplied. It is gathered besides from Canon Law.³

Query 2° Is the Pastor held to minister the Eucharist to his subjects by himself?

Resp. Negatively. For it suffices if he provide that whoever opportunely asks or needs it not be defrauded of it. Therefore he can fulfill the obligation even through others. Nevertheless he must take care lest he seem idle and careless, if he habitually fulfills his offices through others.

Query 3° Does the Pastor sin gravely as often as he denies the Eucharist to one reasonably asking?

Resp. Negatively; for if he does this rarely, e.g. toward one or another, scandal or grave sadness of the asker being excluded, he will sin only venially. The reason is because neither grave injury nor grave damage is thus inflicted, and, if damage is present, it can easily be repaired. - Thus all. - Recall what was said n. 1227. 2°.

Query 4° Is the Pastor held to minister the Eucharist even with danger of life, e.g. in time of plague or contagious disease?

Resp. Negatively, very probably with St. Alphonsus.¹ - See what was said n. 1227. q. 2°. Resp. 2°.

Query 5° When is the Pastor judged to be excused from ministering the Eucharist to subjects asking?

Resp. He is legitimately excused, 1° when the subjects, on account of some circumstances, do not ask reasonably, e.g. if they ask before Mass when they can easily wait, etc.; 2° if the Pastor himself is impeded by infirmity or other necessary occupations, etc. - Nevertheless one must act cautiously, because in these matters the faithful can easily take scandal and be kept from receiving the Sacraments more often. - Thus all.