Vatican: Laypeople Cannot Deliver the Homily at Mass

Vatican, June 24, 2026: The Vatican has reaffirmed that laypersons cannot deliver the homily during Mass, rejecting a request from the German Bishops' Conference to allow commissioned lay faithful to preach in place of the homily in exceptional circumstances. In a letter dated 17 June 2026, the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments stated that the homily is reserved to priests and deacons because it is intrinsically linked to the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the nature of the liturgy itself.

The clarification came in response to a request submitted by the German Bishops' Conference on 30 March 2026. The bishops had sought permission "to permit, in exceptional circumstances, a duly commissioned lay member of the faithful to preach in place of the homily during the celebration of the Eucharist."

In its response addressed to Bishop Heiner Wilmer, President of the German Bishops' Conference, the Dicastery stated that it was not possible to grant the requested indult. An indult is "a special (and often temporary) favor granted to a physical or moral person by the Apostolic See (or the local ordinary) which confers faculties contrary to or beyond the prescriptions of the law."

While expressing appreciation for the pastoral concerns behind the request, the Dicastery explained that the reservation of the homily to a priest or deacon is not merely a disciplinary rule that can be dispensed through an indult. Rather, it is rooted in the very nature of the liturgy.

The Dicastery reiterated that the homily is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word. It is intrinsically connected to the proclamation of the Gospel and constitutes an exercise of the 'munus docendi', or teaching office, entrusted to ordained ministers through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

The letter further stated that the proclamation of the Word during the liturgical celebration cannot be separated from the sacramental mission received through ordination or from the unity between Word and Sacrament within the Eucharistic celebration.

The Dicastery also emphasised the importance of ongoing formation for ordained ministers so that the homily may fully realise its pastoral and spiritual effectiveness.

At the same time, it noted that the Church's current discipline already allows lay members of the faithful to proclaim the Word and preach in various contexts outside the homily and outside the celebration of the Eucharist, in accordance with canon law and the proper nature of these forms of proclaiming the Gospel.

Courtesy: Vatican News