Vatican Maintains Homily as Clergy-Only Role, Rejects Lay Preaching

The Vatican rejected the German Bishops’ request to allow a layperson to deliver the Mass homily, stating the homily is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and must be preached by ordained ministers; the decision, communicated in a letter to Bishop Heiner Wilmer, also urges stronger formation of clergy and notes lay preaching can occur outside the Eucharist in other forms compliant with canon law.