In an October 12 letter to Bishop William Skylstad, the president of the US bishops' conference, the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship reported that Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) ordered an end to the American practice. Cardinal Francis Arinze (bio - news) was responding to a request from the US bishops' conference, asking for approval to continue the policy.
Bishop Skylstad, in turn, wrote to all American bishops on October 23, informing them that "it will be necessary to inform all pastors that extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may no longer assist with the purification of sacred vessels at Mass."
Although the General Instruction of the Roman Missal specifies that sacred vessels may be purified only by a priest or deacon, the American bishops had obtained an indult, or permission, to allow extraordinary ministers to assist in that role. This indult was intended to encourage more people to receive Communion under both kinds.
In his letter to Bishop Skylstad, Cardinal Arinze noted, "Sometimes, however, the high number of communicants may render it inadvisable for everyone to drink from the chalice." He recommended that the American bishops remind their people of the teaching from the Council of Trent, "that Christ is fully present under each of the species. Communion under the species of bread alone, as a consequence, makes it possible to receive all the fruit of Eucharistic grace."
Bishop Skylstad, in conveying news of the Vatican decision to the American hierarchy, attached a list of questions and answers about the distribution of Communion, prepared by Bishop Donald Trautman, the chairman of the US bishops' liturgy committee. Bishop Trautman reminded his fellow bishops that the use of extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist is intended "exclusively for those instances where there are not enough ordinary ministers to distribute Holy Communion."
Cardinal Mahony is an evil, demonic pig.
I guess no one got the memo at our Parish. After Communion the chalices are put on a tray, covered with each purificator. After the Body of Christ is put in to two ciboria (ciboriums) the remaining four are stacked and placed on the credence table along with the tray.
After Mass the sacristan of the week, cleans all of the chalices and ciboriums.
OTOH, we got a new priest two weeks ago. Actually he was here in the 90's as a Parochial Vicar. He's back as the Rector. We didn't think we would be getting another priest. This week our prayers were answered and we have a new Parocial Vicar, a Benedictine Monk. He wants very much to learn to do TLM. Yippee!
"Until Cardinal Mahony and the auxiliary bishops have the opportunity to discuss the new recommendations, both locally and at the general meeting of the USCCB in November, no changes will be made regarding the present policy for the distribution of Holy Communion and/or the purification of the sacred vessels."
The way I read this every single Mass offered in the LA diocese which follows this directive is illicit.
This is only slightly heretical. He's a modern day Hussite.