Communion

Admission to communion

Canon B15A

1. There shall be admitted to the holy communion:

(a) members of the Church of England who have been confirmed in accordance with the rites of that Church or are ready and desirous to be so confirmed or who have been otherwise episcopally confirmed with unction or with the laying on of hands, except as provided by the next following canon:

(b) baptised persons who are communicant members of other Churches which subscribe to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and who are in good standing in their own Church;

(d) any baptised person in immediate danger of death.

2. If any person by virtue of sub-paragraph (b) above regularly receives the holy communion over a long period which appears likely to continue indefinitely, the minister shall set before him the normal requirements of the Church of England for communicant status in that Church.

3. Where any minister is in doubt as to the application of this canon, he shall refer the matter to the area bishop and follow his guidance thereon.

Lay assistance at communion

1. The Old Testament lesson, epistle, and/or gospel may be read by any lay person chosen by the incumbent. The Bishop recommends that such persons should be chosen for audibility and intelligibility in reading. It is not advisable that this function should be confined to one person.

2. A Licensed Lay Minister or other person authorised by the Bishop may preach at the holy communion and at other services.

3. The intercessions in the holy communion may be conducted by a lay person. It is advisable for the incumbent to give guidance over the length and nature of the prayers.

4. Permission for a lay person to assist with the distribution of the sacrament of holy communion to the people is given by the area bishop. Application should be made to the area bishop, after obtaining the support of the PCC, or at least the churchwardens.

Public worship with Communion by Extension

1. Communion by Extension is the distribution of previously consecrated elements to a congregation gathered in a place of worship other than that in which the service of holy communion was celebrated, by a person other than the president. It should be noted that this practice is different and distinct from the administration of communion to the sick and housebound.

2. Explicit permission must be obtained from the area bishop for the use of this rite. This permission should relate to specific pastoral circumstances, thus emphasising the exceptional nature of this ministry.

3. In benefices in which public worship with Communion by Extension has been authorised, care should be taken to ensure that a Sunday celebration of the holy communion continues to take place regularly in each church. Public worship with Communion by Extension will normally take place on Sundays and principal holy days. Exceptionally, the rite may be appropriate on other occasions. The time between the celebration of holy communion and Communion by Extension should be kept to the minimum possible.

4. The service is led only by a person specifically authorised by the Bishop: this may be a deacon, Licensed Lay Minister or other lay person who has received appropriate training. Those who have permission under Canon B12 may share in the giving of communion.

5. If the minister conducting the service is a deacon, Licensed Lay Minister or lay worker authorised under Canon E7, the appropriate vesture is worn.

6. Care should be taken to ensure that those who play any part in the administration of Communion by Extension treat the elements in a seemly and dignified manner and observe the rubrics of the rite provided.

7. Proper provision must be made for the consecrated bread and wine to be brought to the church from the celebration of holy communion in a seemly and dignified manner. They should be placed upon the altar or holy table and covered with a clean white cloth.

8. Proper care should be taken to ensure as far as possible that the consecrated elements are adequate to meet the needs of the congregation. If the bread and wine prove insufficient for the number of communicants, there can be no supplementary consecration in the course of the service.