Vatican: Laypeople cannot preach homilies during Mass -

A proposal from the German bishops has been deemed impossible The Holy See has rejected a request from the German bishops to allow lay people to deliver the homily during the celebration of the Eucharist. by Camille Dalmas In a press release published on June 23, 2026, the Holy See ruled inadmissible the German bishops’ request to allow laypeople to preach during Mass. “The proclamation of the Word within the liturgical celebration is inseparable from the mission received sacramentally,” the Vatican stated. The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments handles liturgical matters. It published a press release Tuesday summarizing its response to Bishop Heiner Wilmer, president of the German Bishops’ Conference. The Vatican’s letter followed a request from the bishop of Münster asking the dicastery to allow, “in exceptional circumstances,” a “duly commissioned lay member of the faithful” to preach during Mass. The request was sent to the dicastery on March 30. It originated from the German Synodal Way, a major consultation launched in Germany in 2019. In 2023, this body passed with 90% approval a resolution to request the authorization of lay preaching at Mass. “While expressing appreciation for the pastoral concerns that inspired the request, the Dicastery reaffirms that the current discipline cannot be dispensed from by means of an indult,” the press release noted. A rule derived from the nature of the liturgy The Vatican reminded the bishops that reserving the homily for priests or deacons is not a “merely disciplinary norm.” Rather, this right “derives from the very nature of the liturgy.” It pertains to the munus docendi: the teaching office reserved for ordained ministers, who are tasked with announcing the authentic magisterium of the Church. “The proclamation of the Word within the liturgical celebration is inseparable from the mission received sacramentally” by deacons and priests, the statement insisted. It reminded the German hierarchy that there are “numerous forms of proclaiming the Word” available to laypeople “outside the homily and outside the celebration of the Eucharist.” At the same time, the dicastery encouraged the bishops to promote the ongoing formation of ordained ministers so their homilies may “fully express its pastoral and spiritual effectiveness.” Motivated by pastoral concern The German Bishops’ Conference shared the dicastery’s decision on its website. It has published both Bishop Wilmer’s initial letter and the five-page response signed by Cardinal Arthur Roche, the Vatican dicastery’s prefect. In his letter, the German bishop argued that the shortage of priests has considerably worsened in his country. He explained that his request was thus driven by pastoral concern. Bishop Wilmer also emphasized that the practice would remain exceptional. The Holy See had previously authorized it in Germany from 1974 to 1983, he noted. Finally, he highlights the competence of German laypeople and proposed distinguishing between the “homily,” which would be reserved for the priest, and “preaching,” which would be open to the laity. Cardinal Roche deemed this request inadmissible, considering the two terms to essentially coincide in practice.