Vatican Dicastery maintains that a layperson cannot deliver the homily
Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments denied the German Bishops' request to allow a layperson to deliver the homily during Mass. The German Bishops had sought an indult permitting a duly commissioned lay member to preach in place of the homily in exceptional circumstances. The Dicastery emphasized that the homily is intrinsically linked to ordained ministry and cannot be dispensed from by an indult, as it derives from the nature of the liturgy. The letter highlighted the importance of ongoing formation of ordained ministers for effective homily delivery. It noted that the Church already allows lay proclamation of the Word outside the homily and outside the Eucharistic celebration.
3 months ago
The Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments rejected the German Bishops’ 2026 request to allow laypersons to deliver the homily during Mass, reaffirming that the homily is reserved to ordained ministers and cannot be dispensed by an indult. 1 2 3
The Dicastery sent a letter dated June 17, 2026 to Bishop Heiner Wilmer, president of the German Bishops’ Conference, stating that the indult sought on 30 March 2026 “cannot be granted.” 1
It emphasized that the reservation of the homily to a priest or deacon “is not a merely disciplinary norm but derives from the very nature of the liturgy.” 2
The Vatican highlighted the homily’s role as an “integral part of the Liturgy of the Word,” intrinsically linked to the proclamation of the Gospel and an exercise of the munus docendi entrusted to ordained ministers through Holy Orders. 3
The Dicastery also called for continued formation of clergy so that the homily can fully express its pastoral and spiritual effectiveness. 1
The German Bishops’ Conference, following a resolution of the “synodal way” (adopted 10 March 2023), asked the Holy See to permit, in “exceptional circumstances,” a duly commissioned lay faithful member to preach in place of the homily. 2
The request was motivated by a “long‑standing practice” in some German dioceses where lay theologians and catechists deliver sermons at Mass, and the bishops sought a formal norm to expand this practice. 2
The Dicastery reminded that Church discipline already provides numerous avenues for laypersons to proclaim the Word outside the Mass, such as catechetical sessions, prayer services, and other liturgical celebrations that do not include the Eucharist. 1 3
It clarified that when a priest is absent, the celebration of the Eucharist does not occur; instead, “celebrations of the Word of God” may be organized, allowing lay preaching without any special indult. 2
The Vatican’s refusal underscores a consistent interpretation of recent magisterial documents and canon law, maintaining the homily as an expression of the ordained minister’s teaching office. 3
While acknowledging pastoral concerns, the Holy See indicated that the existing provisions for lay ministry outside the Mass are sufficient, and that any perceived “genuine pastoral necessity” does not override the liturgical norm. 2
The homily remains a priestly function, not lay‑preached
The Church teaches clearly that the homily (on Mass) is a liturgical act and therefore belongs to the ordained: a priest or a deacon. The Code of Canon Law states that the homily “is part of the liturgy itself and is reserved to a priest or deacon,” and that in it the faith mysteries and norms of Christian life are explained from Scripture.
This same principle is reiterated in the Church’s liturgical instructions: the homily “should ordinarily be given by the priest celebrant himself,” may be entrusted to a concelebrating priest or (occasionally) to the deacon, but “never to a lay person.”
Even if a practice existed before, it does not become lawful by time. The Church explicitly states that any previous norm that allowed non-ordained faithful to give the homily during Mass is considered abrogated, and the practice is reprobated so that it “cannot be permitted to attain the force of custom.”
It is also stated that this prohibition applies not only to the general laity, but also to seminarians and students of theology, and to anyone with pastoral “assistant” roles or similar groups.
The Church does not forbid laypeople from preaching or teaching altogether. It distinguishes the homily within Mass from other kinds of preaching/instruction.
Lay faithful may be allowed to preach outside Mass when necessity or special usefulness demands it—but only as an exceptional measure (not a new normal), and only according to law and permissions.
If instruction or testimony is given in the church, it is “altogether preferable” that this occur outside Mass, or (for serious reasons) after the Prayer after Communion—but it must not be confused with the homily and it is not permissible to dispense with the homily on their account.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states that the priest gives the homily in Mass with a congregation, and that in concelebrations it is usually given by the principal celebrant or a concelebrant.
Additionally, the Homiletic Directory emphasizes that because the homily is integrally linked to the liturgy (Word and altar), it belongs to those ordained to guide the Church’s worship, aligning with Redemptionis Sacramentum.
Conclusion: Your statement is accurate in Catholic teaching and current Church discipline: the homily at Mass remains reserved to priest or deacon and must not be laid-preached, though laypeople may sometimes provide other instruction or preaching outside Mass under the appropriate legal conditions.