Bishop's authority to "interpret" Cannon Law?

[CarolL]

Someone please help me with this answer. Does a bishop have the authority to interpret Cannon Law, specifically when it comes to lay people preaching at the time of the homily after the priest gives a brief talk on the gospel?
Everything I’ve read says he doesn’t have to the authority to change that but our parish priest told me that he can.

 

[palmas85]

The Bishop may have the authority to interpret Canon Law but he does not have the authority to change it. I don’t believe that lay persons are permitted to give homilies, although I have seen them do it from time to time. Some priests allow laypersons to give what they call reflections, whatever that means, and I don’t think there is any particular law against that except to as to where and under what circumstamces they may be given.

 

[MaryAgnes]

CarolL:

Someone please help me with this answer. Does a bishop have the authority to interpret Cannon Law, specifically when it comes to lay people preaching at the time of the homily after the priest gives a brief talk on the gospel?
Everything I’ve read says he doesn’t have to the authority to change that but our parish priest told me that he can.

What sort of thing was the lay person “preaching?” If the priest already gave a homily after the readings, was what the lay person did something aside from that an not really a homily?

 

[CarolL]

An example is when our DRE, a nun, speaks on Cathechetical Sunday each year after the priest very briefly, ( a minute or two), said a few words, not necessariy on the gospel or readings. We have 2 new priests and I don’t know what they will say or for how long, just that it will be “brief”. One of the priests actually called it preaching at the time of the homily after the priest speaks.
In a letter from the USCCB from 2002, it states that lay people can preach, but never at the time of the homily which is reserved for ordained ministers.
When I brought that up to the priest that’s when he said the bishop has the right to “interpret” the law.
I don’t want to be a “nit-picker” but I think there’s an underlying agenda.
Any other clarification would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to those who have answered already.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Carol,

The Bishop has the authority to interpret canon law within the guidelines that Rome has provided. This he does through the Tribunal. As with civil law, case law (an examination of how cases have been decided) from the Roman Rota provide those guidelines. When there is a doubt about an “authentic interpretation” the bishop sends a dubium (means “doubt” but can be understood as “a question”) to Rome. The reply (responsum) is then considered to be the authentic interpretation.

With regard to lay preaching the law has been authentically interpreted with the most recent being found in the instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum where it was made clear that the homily was reserve to the ordained; bishop, priest or deacon. Lay people may preach outside of Mass. Further, examples like the DRE’s talk are common, but should take place after the Prayer After Communion. They should never be given at the time the homily takes place, even if the priest/deacon gives a “brief homily.”

Deacon Ed

 

[CarolL]

Thank you Deacon Ed.
Do you or does anyone else have a suggestion on how to approach the bishop with this since I have already gone to the parish priest who wrote the letter explaining what was going to be happening at mass regarding “lay preaching”?
I want to follow the proper protocol but I don’t think my it will change anything.
The priest said they are speaking then because people leave after Communion and when I read to him from the letter of the bishops that it should never be at the homily that’s when he said the bishop had met with Cannon lawyers, theologians,experts, etc. and he had the authority to interpret the law as he saw fit to “shepard his flock”.
I don’t want to be difficult. I want to understand let others know if this is improper.