The president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference and Archbishop of Mendoza, Monsignor Marcelo Colombo, denied having received any formal reprimand from the Vatican regarding the application of liturgical norms on the reception of Communion, after reports circulated in recent days about an alleged intervention by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
According to a social media post, Colombo described as “a lie” and “fake news” the versions claiming that both he and the Bishop of San Luis, Monsignor Gabriel Barba, had been corrected from Rome for applying the Communion regulations in a restrictive manner.
Wanderer exposed Colombo and the restrictions on receiving Communion kneeling
In his statement, the bishop mentioned that the controversy arose after “anonymous blogs” published that, according to “unimpeachable sources,” officials from the Dicastery for Divine Worship had held “conversations” with him and Barba to remind them that the faithful have the freedom to receive Communion according to the modes admitted by the Church.
The publication in question was made by Wanderer, who specifically pointed out that the Vatican had expressed reservations about certain restrictive applications related to the reception of the Eucharist, also recalling that Colombo had already shown support for prohibiting the reception of Communion kneeling, a fact supported by letters signed by the bishop himself.
Colombo denies any intervention from Rome
In statements to Radio Maria, Monsignor Colombo stated that “there is nothing” and affirmed that he had never received any official communication from the Vatican on this matter.
“Even I have not made any determination that would merit any qualification from the Holy See,” declared the Archbishop of Mendoza.
According to his explanation, he only responded last year to a specific query by copying what the Argentine liturgical legislation establishes regarding the usual manner of receiving Communion. The president of the Argentine episcopate also published a message to the faithful in which he lamented the spread of rumors and anonymous accusations.
“Many faithful of good will end up being confused, deceived, or drawn into climates of permanent suspicion,” he wrote.
What Church norms say about Communion
The underlying issue revolves around the liturgical norms on the reception of the Eucharist.
The Argentine Episcopal Conference established in 2002 that the usual form of receiving Communion in the country is “standing,” preceded by a bow of the head as a gesture of reverence.
However, the universal norms of the Church also make clear that Communion cannot be denied to those who wish to receive it kneeling.
The instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, published in 2004 by the then-competent Vatican body, expressly states that “it is not lawful to deny Holy Communion to a faithful” solely for wishing to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing.