EWTN Catholic Q&A

Extraordinary ministers of holy Communion
Question from Richard on 10-20-2012:

Is it proper for extraordinary ministers of holy Communion to say that they are "ordained," or to call themselves "ordained extraordinary ministers of holy Communion"? Are they in fact "ordained"?

Answer by Catholic Answers on 10-24-2012:

Richard--

In the Catholic Church, the ordained are deacons, priests, and bishops. If an ordained man is distributing Communion, he is an "ordinary minister of Communion" or just a "minister of Communion." Extraordinary (as in "extra-ordinary") refers to laity delegated to assist in the distribution of Communion under "extraordinary" circumstances (i.e., outside of the "ordinary").