Is It Right that Laypeople Distribute Holy Communion?

Yes, laypersons may serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. This is a matter of changeable Church discipline, not unchangeable doctrine, and thus falls under the Church’s God-given disciplinary power to bind and loose, with the pope having “full, supreme, and universal authority” in such matters (CCC 882; see Matthew 16:18-19, 18:15-18). Priests and deacons are ordinary ministers of the Eucharist. Despite the term “extraordinary minister,” laypersons can serve in this role at their parishes regularly if there is legitimate liturgical need.

For guidelines on the use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, see this presentation by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In addition, for information on the origins of this practice, see our previous answer on the subject.