May the priest stay seated while a layman distributes Communion?
The short answer
Only when necessary. Extraordinary ministers may give Communion only when priest and deacon are lacking, when the priest is prevented by weakness, age or another genuine reason, or when the number of communicants would unduly prolong the Mass. Without true necessity, it is prohibited.
When extraordinary ministers may serve
Redemptionis Sacramentum (158) allows the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion to distribute only when the priest and deacon are lacking, when the priest is prevented by weakness, advanced age or another genuine reason, or when so many come to Communion that the Mass would be unduly prolonged.
Otherwise prohibited
Without true necessity, the practice is expressly prohibited (RS 157).
Continue exploring
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