For Lawful Ministration

Lawful Administration of Sacraments.—Lawful administration of a Sacrament demands, in addition to the conditions for validity (2665-2668), that the minister and his ministry be worthy, for even in the Old Law it was strictly commanded that holy things be treated in a holy manner (Isa., lii. 11; Lev., xxi. xxii). Hence, a person who fulfilled the conditions for validity but who lacked one or other of the qualities mentioned below would perform and confer a true Sacrament, but he would sin more or less seriously on account of the unworthy administration, unless good faith excused him.

(a) The Minister’s Worthiness before God.—The state of grace is required in consecrated ministers when they minister solemnly and ex officio in performing a Sacrament; for they act then as representatives of Christ, who is holy, and exercise most sacred functions which He appointed as means of holiness and which they were ordained to perform holily. The sin of unworthiness is a grave sacrilege. It seems there is per se no grave sin, if the minister is not consecrated (e.g., in lay Baptism), or if the ministry is not ex officio (e.g., in a Baptism of necessity given by a priest but without the solemn ceremonies), or if a Sacrament is not made or performed (e.g., when confession is heard but absolution not given, when Communion is administered, when the Blessed Sacrament is carried). It is generally admitted that there is no grave sin even in a solemn and official performance of a Sacrament, if the Sacrament is urgently necessary and the state of grace cannot be recovered in time; also in the exercise of a function which is not itself a Sacrament (e.g., to be official witness at a marriage or deacon at Mass, to preach, bless, give Minor Orders, chant or say the Office). When the state of grace is necessary for his ministry, one who is in sin must to the best of his ability recover that state by going to confession or at least by making an act of contrition.

(b) The Minister’s Worthiness Before the Church.—Since the Church is the custodian of the Sacraments, these cannot be lawfully performed or administered by those who are under her censure or who have not received her license. The excommunicated and the irregular sin gravely if they administer Sacraments, unless the faithful lawfully request administration from them (see 2683). Only priests are licensed to act as ministers of Baptism, Penance, Extreme Unction and the Eucharist, and the pastor of a place is the authorized minister for that territory; but in case of need even the laity may administer Baptism, a priest other than the pastor may give the Last Sacraments, and the sick may confess to any confessor with due faculties.

(c) Worthiness of the Ministration.—Internally the ministry should be devout and attentive; for, if private worship should be religiously made, much more the worship contained in the Sacraments (see 2150, 2244). Voluntary distractions, however, do not seem to be gravely sinful, unless the validity of the rite is imperilled by them. Externally the ministry should be dignified and rubrical. Canon 733 requires that each one observe the accidental ceremonies of his own Rite and liturgical books. Since ceremonies were instituted by the Church from the earliest ages and are prescribed in virtue of religion (Catechism of the Council of Trent, page 152), it is sinful to neglect them unless a rubric is merely directive or optional, such as the rules before and after Mass. The preceptive rubrics oblige sub gravi as to notable matter (e.g., the anointing in Baptism), sub levi as to inconsiderable matter (e.g., words, bows, crosses, etc. of minor importance); but one may be excused from guilt, or grave guilt, on account of imperfection of act (e.g., inadvertence caused by external distractions) or impossibility (e.g., ceremonies curtailed because of approaching death, scandal or wonder of the people). The Roman Ritual (Title I, n. 10) advises the explanation of the ceremonies for the benefit of those who assist at the administration of the Sacraments, and recommends the Catechism of the Council of Trent for this purpose.

Multiplication of Sins of Unworthy Administration.—How many sins are committed by the minister when Sacraments are unworthily administered to many recipients at one time, as when several children are baptized together, or a large gathering of penitents are heard one after the other, etc.?

(a) According to the strict view, there are as many distinct sins as there are distinct administrations, for each Sacrament is separate from the other. But in case of Communion, since the separate Communions are parts of the one Eucharistic banquet, there is but one sin, mortal or venial, according to the view taken of an administration that is not also performance of a Sacrament.

(b) According to the mild view, there is but one sin, since sins are not multiplied numerically when they form morally but one act on account of the unity given them by the purpose of the agent and the circumstances.