The Theory and Practice of Extended Communion (Liturgy, Worship and Society Series)

Three churches have recently produced liturgies for 'extended communion'. This is the distribution of previously consecrated elements at a public service by lay people or a deacon in the absence of a priest. This development began in the Roman Catholic Church with the Vatican 'Directory on Sunday Worship in the absence of a priest' in 1988. The Methodist Church produced a service of Extended Communion in 1999, and the Church of England authorized 'Public Worship with Communion by Extension' in 2001. In this book Phillip Tovey examines these churches to discover the reasons for the production of these services and their theological rationale. An in-depth examination of case studies draws conclusions highly relevant to the wider church. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 9 List of Figures......Page 11 List of Tables......Page 13 Acknowledgements......Page 15 1 Introduction: The Nature and Scope of this Book......Page 17 PART I Developments in the Churches......Page 23 2 The Roman Catholic Church......Page 25 3 The Methodist Church......Page 45 4 The Church of England and the Anglican Communion......Page 67 5 Part I: Conclusions......Page 91 PART II A Case Study and Theological Implications......Page 95 6 Case Studies from the Rural Parishes......Page 97 7 Case Studies from the Urban Parishes......Page 117 8 Repercussions for Ministry......Page 137 9 Questions of Liturgical Practice......Page 153 10 Implications for Ecclesiology......Page 167 11 Part II: Conclusions......Page 181 PART III General Conclusions......Page 187 12 General Conclusions......Page 189 Bibliography......Page 195 Index......Page 211 The Roman Catholic Church -- The Methodist Church -- The Church Of England And The Anglican Communion -- Case Studies From The Rural Parishes -- Case Studies From The Urban Parishes -- Repercussions For Ministry -- Questions Of Liturgical Practice -- Implications For Ecclesiology. Phillip Tovey. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.