Does the Church allow extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to distribute communion via intinction within the context of the Pauline Mass? To be clear I am not talking about self-intinction by communicants which is of course forbidden.

I have read GIRM 287 where it says "...approaches the priest.." but that language is used elsewhere in the GIRM for actions that can indeed be carried out by laypersons so it's left me perplexed.

In practical terms, why would the Church not allow the practice GIVEN that She does allow the use of EMsHC in extraordinary situation? Thank you.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states,

191. A duly instituted acolyte, as an extraordinary minister, may, if necessary, assist the priest in giving Communion to the people. If Communion is given under both kinds, when no deacon is present, the acolyte administers the chalice to the communicants or holds the chalice if Communion is given by intinction.

283. ... The Diocesan Bishop may establish norms for Communion under both kinds for his own diocese, which are also to be observed in churches of religious and at celebrations with small groups. The Diocesan Bishop is also given the faculty to permit Communion under both kinds whenever it may seem appropriate to the priest to whom, as its own shepherd, a community has been entrusted, provided that the faithful have been well instructed and there is no danger of profanation of the Sacrament or of the rite's becoming difficult because of the large number of participants or some other reason.

In all that pertains to Communion under both kinds, the Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America are to be followed (see nos. 27-54).

287. If Communion from the chalice is carried out by intinction, each communicant, holding a communion-plate under the chin, approaches the priest, who holds a vessel with the sacred particles, a minister standing at his side and holding the chalice. The priest takes a host, dips it partly into the chalice and, showing it, says, Corpus et Sanguis Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ). The communicant responds, Amen, receives the Sacrament in the mouth from the priest, and then withdraws.

Redemptionis Sacramentum states regarding intinction,

103. ... If this modality is employed, however, hosts should be used which are neither too thin nor too small, and the communicant should receive the Sacrament from the Priest only on the tongue.

The "Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America" refered to in GIRM 283 above states,

49. Holy Communion may be distributed by intinction in the following manner: "the communicant, while holding the paten under the chin, approaches the priest who holds the vessel with the hosts and at whose side stands a minister holding the chalice. The priest takes the host, intincts the particle into the chalice and, showing it, says: 'The Body and Blood of Christ.' The communicant responds, 'Amen,' and receives the Sacrament on the tongue from the priest. Afterwards, the communicant returns to his or her place."

50. The communicant, including the extraordinary minister, is never allowed to self‑communicate, even by means of intinction. Communion under either form, bread or wine, must always be given by an ordinary or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.

Unlike civil law in which it isn't forbidden it is permitted, in liturgical law if it isn't positively permitted it isn't allowed. Everything points to the priest being the minister of intinction, assisted by the deacon, or if one is not present, an extraordinary minister. The reason may be the risk that in intincting the Host and carrying it to the mouth of the communicant there is a greater risk of profanation. How many EMHCs are probably prepared for this manner of distributing Holy Communion.

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