Article II. On the Obligation of Dispensing the Eucharist

I say. Any Pastor, or priest having care of souls, is held by justice to administer the Eucharist to his subjects not only at Easter and in death, but also as often as they reasonably ask, with the cause of a legitimate impediment, however, excluded. But other priests are held only in a case of necessity or of death, and when the Pastor is lacking. The reason of the first is that it belongs to the Pastor by quasi-contract to provide not only that the faithful fulfill the precepts, but also that they not lack the supports which greatly benefit spiritual progress. But the reason of the second is that other priests are held only from charity. - Cf. St. Alphonsus, Hom. Ap., n. 8.¹

¹ Cf. Addenda, p. 1088, n. 10.

You Will Resolve. 1st. The Pastor sins as often as he denies administering the Eucharist, whether by himself or through another, to those reasonably asking for it; but the sin does not exceed venial if this is done rarely and there is not grave scandal or grave sorrow of the one asking. The reason is that then neither grave injury nor grave damage is inflicted, and if damage is present, it can easily be repaired.

2nd. A Pastor is not held to administer the Eucharist to the dying with danger to his life, for example, in time of plague, because it is not an absolutely necessary sacrament. A fortiori other priests not having care of souls are not held to this. - Cf. St. Alphonsus, n. 233.