Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion

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An extraordinary minister of Holy Communion in the Catholic Church is, under the 1983 Code of Canon Law, "an acolyte, or another of Christ's faithful deputed", in certain extraordinary circumstances, to distribute Holy Communion. The term "extraordinary" distinguishes such a person from the ordinary minister of Holy Communion, namely a bishop, priest or deacon.^[1] Under ordinary circumstances, only bishops, priests, and deacons may distribute Communion in the Catholic Church. Similarly, only bishops and priests may administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the sick.

The 1983 code permits that "[w]here the needs of the Church require and ministers are not available, lay people, even though they are not lectors or acolytes, can supply certain of their functions, that is, exercise the ministry of the word, preside over liturgical prayers, confer baptism and distribute Holy Communion, in accordance with the provisions of the law."^[2] The term "lay people" does not distinguish between men and women.