Is a Sunday homily optional?

[Shy_Catholic]

I’m not sure if things are different in the US than the UK but in our parish the priest continues to skip the homily for no good reason, he just sits back down again and doesn’t bother to even stand for the creed himself. I’ve emailed the bishop with my concern who said a Sunday homily was ‘less of an absolute requirement but more than a recommendation’ and would depend on circumstances and how often. This doesn’t tie in with ‘Canon Law’ does it? Since I replied advising it was omitted continuously (at least six weeks in a row at one point) he hasn’t responded despite my continuous efforts to approach the matter. It’s very disheartening.

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

Code of Canon Law:

Can. 767 §1. Among the forms of preaching, the homily, which is part of the liturgy itself and is reserved to a priest or deacon, is preeminent; in the homily the mysteries of faith and the norms of Christian life are to be explained from the sacred text during the course of the liturgical year.

§2. A homily must be given at all Masses on Sundays and holy days of obligation which are celebrated with a congregation, and it cannot be omitted except for a grave cause.

Obviously the wording of the canon shows that the homily is not a mere “recommendation.” It is truly required except for a grave cause on Sundays.

Since neither the bishop nor the priest seem responsive to your legitimate concern, I’d make the recommendation to find another parish nearby.