No subject

<br>But that practice will end following a pastoral letter Bishop William Murphy is releasing today prohibiting Catholic schools, parishes and other institutions from distributing Holy Communion at most non-Mass events.<br>

<br>Several schools and parishes who take part in the practice said yesterday they would abide by the bishop's order. Some said they were nonetheless disappointed, while some church analysts such as papal biographer David Gibson suggested it was a move by Murphy to "tighten up" and crack down on nontraditional practices.<br>

<br>But others saw it as an opportunity to reflect on the sacrament of Holy Communion and head off what may be a trend among some Catholics to take it too casually.<br><br>"I think it's positive and something to be embraced," said the Rev. James Williams, president of Chaminade. "The bishop is the teaching arm of the church."<br>

<br>In his eight-page pastoral letter, his seventh since becoming the spiritual leader of Long Island's 1.4 million Catholics in 2001, Murphy said he was ordering the Communion service practice to end by July 1.<br><br>

That, he said, would bring the Diocese of Rockville Centre "into conformity with the liturgical norms of the Church." The order will not affect practices such as nonpriests' giving Communion to sick people at home or in hospitals.<br>

<br>"The Eucharist is the greatest gift Jesus left us," Murphy wrote. "The celebration of the Eucharist gives us our identity as well as our life."<br></blockquote></div><br></div>
</div></div></div><br>

------=_Part_2823_6715728.1210590633055--