A correspondent writes:
Even after the Pope’s re-affirmation about only ordained deacons and priests giving the homily, our female RCIA director gave the homily again last week – in full view of the priest. So I finally found the Canon she says allows her to do this, and it is Canon 766 which apparently allows this in special circumstances – which in our church that would be, or say, Sunday for instance (she gives the homily at least once a month). So how about it, can Canon 766 be legitimately used here? My reading of it is that the lay faithful can preach, but it should not take the place of the homily.
No, canon 766 cannot be used in this way. Canon 766 reads:
Can. 766 Lay persons can be permitted to preach in a church or oratory, if necessity requires it in certain circumstances or it seems advantageous in particular cases, according to the prescripts of the conference of bishops and without prejudice to can. 767, §1.
Notice the last bit of that “without prejudice to can. 767, §1.” This means that 766 is non-operative when it comes to the matter specified in can. 767 §1. So what does that passage say?
Can. 767 §1. Among the forms of preaching, the homily, which is part of the liturgy itself and is reserved to a priest or deacon, is preeminent; in the homily the mysteries of faith and the norms of Christian life are to be explained from the sacred text during the course of the liturgical year.
You are therefore correct. Can. 766 permits lay preaching in limited circumstances, but not lay preaching of the homily.
This is underscored by Redemptionis Sacramentum, which states:
[64.] The homily, which is given in the course of the celebration of Holy Mass and is a part of the Liturgy itself, “should ordinarily be given by the Priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating Priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to a Deacon, but never to a layperson. In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a Priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate”.
[65.] It should be borne in mind that any previous norm that may have admitted non-ordained faithful to give the homily during the eucharistic celebration is to be considered abrogated by the norm of canon 767 §1. This practice is reprobated, so that it cannot be permitted to attain the force of custom.
[66.] The prohibition of the admission of laypersons to preach within the Mass applies also to seminarians, students of theological disciplines, and those who have assumed the function of those known as “pastoral assistants”; nor is there to be any exception for any other kind of layperson, or group, or community, or association.
[161.] As was already noted above, the homily on account of its importance and its nature is reserved to the Priest or Deacon during Mass. As regards other forms of preaching, if necessity demands it in particular circumstances, or if usefulness suggests it in special cases, lay members of Christ’s faithful may be allowed to preach in a church or in an oratory outside Mass in accordance with the norm of law. This may be done only on account of a scarcity of sacred ministers in certain places, in order to meet the need, and it may not be transformed from an exceptional measure into an ordinary practice, nor may it be understood as an authentic form of the advancement of the laity. All must remember besides that the faculty for giving such permission belongs to the local Ordinary, and this as regards individual instances; this permission is not the competence of anyone else, even if they are Priests or Deacons.
It’s quite clear that the priest or deacon is the only one that should give a homily. As I understand it, it’s allowable to have a lay person come up after the homily to give a talk about something. I would hope that such talks about whatever should be done at the end of mass with the announcements, but if someone absolutely must give a talk I believe it’s possible AFTER the homily. Is this right?
First thanks for the information. I have read the above regarding laity doing the homilies and I will try to use this. However, the priest of our parish wrote a letter in the bulliten this past week I have a few more questions. First he stated that lay people have a right to say the homily because “of the understanding of baptism and the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to the church in it’s members, These gifts make us a priestly people, a royal people and and prophetic people.” he goes on to say all the church is very gifted because of this and the gifts are given to “build up the Church” and not all wisdom is given to one but through many. He further says that the bishop, being a successor to the apostles determines the orderly celebration of our communal worhship and in his “great wisdom” collaborated with a committee of canon lawyers, theologins, clergy, and pastoral minister to develop guidelines and directives, which are in line wth the teachings of Vat. II. Finally, he states as long as the presider gives a “very brief comment on the Scriptures that have been proclaimed” the laity is welcome can speak inorder to connect the reading to life.
Now my question, I am assumeing they are getting around going agaist teaching by have the presider say a few words first regarding the scripture. Is this still wrong or just a abuse or power? What are the steps I can do to attempt to change this or do I just grit and bare it. Thanks for your help and i apologize for the spelling and typos.
Patrick Cayouette
A struggle parishoner in Roch. NY Diocese