In 1969 Pope Paul VI, with serious misgivings, published Memoriale Domini and opened the fateful door to communion-in-the-hand. He stated that the traditional way of receiving on the tongue was preferable, and then spelled out the threat to Holy Communion with very specific warnings:

"A change in a matter of such moment, based on a most ancient and venerable tradition, does not merely affect discipline. It carries certain dangers with it which may arise from the new manner of administering Holy Communion: the danger of a loss of reverence for the august sacrament of the altar, of profanation, of adulterating the true doctrine..."

All of the pope’s misgivings have come true. The Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Savior is frequently being treated with disdain and irreverence; communion-in-the-hand has opened the door to trivialization, sacrilege, abuse and indifference. The vast majority of Roman Catholics no longer kneel to receive Him, and a significant percentage of Catholics no longer recognize the Holy Eucharist as the Real Presence.

As Memoriale Domini dictates, Rome firmly respects your right to receive on the tongue and encourages you to do so. No priest in the world has the right to refuse communion in the traditional manner.