Redemptionis Sacramentum

1. nn. 14, 19The liturgy is regulated by the authority of the Church: the Apostolic See, and the diocesan Bishop according to the norms of law. The diocesan Bishop is the moderator, promoter and guardian of the liturgical life of his Church.
2. nn. 51–52, 64The Eucharistic Prayer is proclaimed by the priest alone, in full. It is not to be tolerated that priests compose their own Eucharistic Prayers, and the homily is reserved to a priest or deacon, “but never to a layperson”.
3. nn. 40, 45Lay people take an active part in the liturgy, but this does not mean that everyone must have a concrete task. Lay ministries are to avoid a “clericalization” of the laity and of the clergy.
4. nn. 81, 90–92Holy Communion is to be given to those with the right dispositions. Anyone conscious of grave sin should go to confession first, and the faithful may receive on the tongue or in the hand where the Conference allows.
5. nn. 172, 184The instruction lists grave abuses and sets remedies. Any Catholic may complain of a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop, and then to the Apostolic See.

It takes up liturgical norms already in force and sets out further norms that explain and complement them, to assure a deeper appreciation of the liturgy (Preamble). It says the liturgical reform has contributed greatly to a more conscious and active participation, while noting abuses that persist (n. 4). It is not intended as a compendium of all the norms on the Eucharist (Preamble).

• What people say: Redemptionis Sacramentum forbids all creativity in the liturgy.

  What the text says: The text says “ample flexibility is given for appropriate creativity” in songs, readings, prayers and the homily, “according to the established liturgical norms” (n. 39). What it rejects is altering the texts at will (n. 59). nn. 39, 59

• What people say: Holy Communion may be received only kneeling and on the tongue.

  What the text says: The text says the faithful receive “kneeling or standing, as the Conference of Bishops will have determined” (n. 90), that each of the faithful has the right to receive on the tongue, and that the host may be given in the hand where the Conference has permission (n. 92). It is not licit to refuse Communion only because a person wishes to kneel or stand (n. 91). nn. 90–92

• What people say: A layperson may give the homily when no priest is available.

  What the text says: The text says the homily “should ordinarily be given by the Priest celebrant himself” and may be given by a deacon, “but never to a layperson” (n. 64). Preaching by lay people outside Mass is permitted only in certain cases, and the local Ordinary decides each instance (n. 161). nn. 64–66, 161

• “The regulation of the Sacred Liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, which rests specifically with the Apostolic See and, according to the norms of law, with the Bishop”

  n. 14

• “is too great for anyone to permit himself to treat it according to his own whim”

  n. 11

• “Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice”

  n. 92