Q: We were just informed that “in order to set a good example for the congregation, all Ministers of Holy Communion must receive the Host on the tongue from now on”. Has there been a new move from the US Catholic Conference of Bishops from receiving communion in reverent hands to only on the tongue? Or is this a decision that local parish priests can make for their ministers?
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A: There has been no change in legislation. GIRM 160 still says this of the manner of receiving communion in the United States: “The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant.”
In the United States, the priest does not have authority to determine how any communicant receives, including the communion minister.