The Archdiocese has received formal advice from the Working With Children authorities that Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Special Ministers) are included in the list of those who are required by the law in Western Australia to have a valid Western Australian Working With Children Card before they can lawfully exercise their particular ministry in the Church. Therefore, we are re-quired to comply with this law immediately.
The Archbishop has asked all parishes to take immediate action to determine who among the Extraordinary Ministers already holds a WWC card and ensure that only they are rostered on for service at Mass.
I wish to inform all Extraordinary Ministers (Special Ministers) of the requirement that you have a valid WWC card, as this is a legal requirement. Those who are without a valid WWC card are not able to exercise this ministry in the Archdio-cese of Perth.
The Archbishop is very conscious that immediate compliance with this law will create some difficulties and extra work. But he has asked for your full coopera-tion and understanding in this matter.
For those Special Ministers who are without a valid WWC card and wish to ex-ercise this ministry need to complete an application form and give it to me to sign. Should you wish to do so, forms are available in the Sacristy and the Par-ish Office. Those of you already have a WWC card through another employer, please send a copy to Juliana at the Parish Office.
I fully understand that those Special Ministers who are without a valid WWC card and already been rostered to distribute Holy Communion well in advance. However, to comply with this law and follow immediate action requested by the Archbishop, we earnestly ask for your kind assistance in this matter.
May the Risen Christ bless you in your ministry!
Fr. Phong Nguyen