The Polish Bishops’ Conference has issued directives regarding the distribution of the Eucharist also by women religious and consecrated laywomen. Those eligible to administer the Eucharist must be between the ages of 25 and 65, be involved in the life of the Church, of proven morality, and deserve the esteem of the clergy and faithful of their diocese. The distribution of the Eucharist by non-priests may be decided by the diocesan bishop in exceptional cases, when the number of priests is too limited to serve the number of faithful. Women religious, as other ministers, with the consent of parish priests, may also bring the sacrament to the sick and the handicapped. Laity and religious, to perform the functions hitherto reserved in Poland exclusively for the clergy, must receive special training, and follow a specific course.
