We have men who are not ordained clergy and women giving the homily in our parish. According to our Pastoral Administrator, when confronted, our Bishop supports this practice. I think more parishioners would complain if they knew it was an abuse. How do I elevate the issue? Do I go directly to the Vatican? Is there a document stating the process? Thank you.Sue said:
As was already noted above, the homily on account of its importance and its nature is reserved to the Priest or Deacon during Mass.260 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.261 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.262 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. **scroll down the document and near the end remedies are listed. But please talk to your pastor or administrator before you go over his head.
Br. Rich,
I figured this would come up. I try hard not to scandalize the previous bishop but sometimes it’s inevitable. Oakland, CA. We were probably 2nd in line after Rochester as far as abuses. Unfortunately, most of the crazies spreading heresy come from my diocese. They’re not too happy right now.
Yes, this picture is quite famous. Notice the polka dots and pom-poms on his stole. That used to be my local parish. This is why we drove cross town to go to Mass! This priest is one of those who exports dissent to diocese around the country.
I notice you said Pastoral Administrator… Do you have a priest assigned to your parish? Are these “homilies” being delivered at a Mass that’s being celebrated by a priest?
Since I’m getting many inquiries as to others who may be working on trying to influence orthodoxy in their diocese, I suggest you go to www.catholicmediacoalition.org Go to locate CMC members and click on the map! Some are working on CD’s and some don’t think they have the technical expertise and would love help if you or someone you know has this skill!
P.S. Get video tape of the lay homilists. Document, document, document!
I can not say that I have recently witnessed this phenomenon, and I’m in that diocese.
What Parish are you in? I would love to go to Mass there.
Sue said:
If any bishop would be willing to assist, it would be Vigneron. He’s a good, solid, orthodox bishop. If you don’t want him, would you be so kind as to send him back to Detroit? I’ll even pay shipping & handling!
