Vatican City: The Vatican has reaffirmed that only ordained ministers, specifically priests and deacons, are permitted to deliver the homily during the celebration of Mass, rejecting a request from the Catholic bishops of Germany that sought permission for qualified laypeople to preach in exceptional circumstances.
The clarification was issued by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in a letter dated June 17, 2026, addressed to Bishop Heiner Wilmer, president of the German Bishops' Conference. The Vatican body explained that it could not approve the request because the Church’s teaching on who may give the homily is rooted in the nature of the liturgy itself and is not simply a matter of church discipline that can be changed through a special permission.
The German bishops had asked the Holy See to allow a duly commissioned lay member of the faithful to preach in place of the homily during the celebration of the Eucharist in exceptional situations. Such a request would have required an indult, a special permission granted by Church authorities that allows an exception to existing legal norms.
While acknowledging the pastoral concerns that motivated the proposal, the Vatican said the current rules governing the homily cannot be set aside through an indult. According to the Dicastery, the reservation of the homily to ordained ministers is closely linked to the Church’s understanding of the Eucharist and the role of Holy Orders.
The letter explained that the homily is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and is directly connected to the proclamation of the Gospel. It stressed that the homily is not simply a speech or reflection but a specific ministry of teaching entrusted to bishops, priests and deacons through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
The Dicastery further noted that the proclamation of God’s Word within the liturgical celebration cannot be separated from the sacramental mission given to ordained ministers. It said this relationship reflects the unity between the Word of God and the Eucharist, which together form the heart of the Church’s worship.
The Vatican also highlighted the importance of ensuring that ordained ministers receive ongoing formation and training. It said that continued spiritual, theological and pastoral development is necessary so that homilies can effectively communicate the Gospel and meet the spiritual needs of the faithful.
At the same time, the Dicastery pointed out that the Church already provides many opportunities for laypeople to participate in evangelisation and the proclamation of the Word of God. Outside the homily and beyond the celebration of Mass, lay members of the faithful may preach, teach and share reflections in various settings, provided these activities are carried out in accordance with canon law and the established practices of the Church.
The clarification comes amid ongoing discussions in some parts of the Catholic Church about the role of laypeople in ministry and pastoral leadership. By rejecting the German bishops’ request, the Vatican has underscored its position that the homily during Mass remains a ministry reserved exclusively to ordained clergy.
The decision serves as a reminder of the Church’s long standing teaching on the connection between the proclamation of the Gospel, the celebration of the Eucharist and the sacramental role of ordained ministers in the life of the Church.