Who can preach a homily?

[catholicma]

In the spirit of Christian Unity our pastor has invited a Protestant woman minister to preach at all the Masses. Is there a reference I could give my pastor? He is a good man and surely is well-intentioned but I fail to see how this is an act of true ‘ecumenism’ which the Holy Father desires. LMK.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

He may not want to see this, but he should. . .and it should be sent (with explanation) to the bishop as well.

Right from the GIRM:

The Homily

1. The homily is part of the Liturgy and is strongly recommended,63 for it is necessary for the nurturing of the Christian life. It should be an exposition of some aspect of the readings from Sacred Scripture or of another text from the Ordinary or from the Proper of the Mass of the day and should take into account both the mystery being celebrated and the particular needs of the listeners.64
2. The Homily should ordinarily be given by the priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to the deacon, but never to a lay person.65 In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate.

Despite their ‘titles’, Protestant ministers are not priests or deacons. Thus, they are lay people. . .and equally thus, they cannot give a homily at a Catholic Mass.

 

[benedictgal]

To further augment the GIRM, here is what Redemptionis Sacramentum says:

[64.] The homily, which is given in the course of the celebration of Holy Mass and is a part of the Liturgy itself,142 “should ordinarily be given by the Priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating Priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to a Deacon, but never to a layperson.143 In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a Priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate”.144

[65.] It should be borne in mind that any previous norm that may have admitted non-ordained faithful to give the homily during the Eucharistic celebration is to be considered abrogated by the norm of canon 767 §1.145 This practice is reprobated, so that it cannot be permitted to attain the force of custom.

[66.] The prohibition of the admission of laypersons to preach within the Mass applies also to seminarians, students of theological disciplines, and those who have assumed the function of those known as “pastoral assistants”; nor is there to be any exception for any other kind of layperson, or group, or community, or association.146

[67.] Particular care is to be taken so that the homily is firmly based upon the mysteries of salvation, expounding the mysteries of the Faith and the norms of Christian life from the biblical readings and liturgical texts throughout the course of the liturgical year and providing commentary on the texts of the Ordinary or the Proper of the Mass, or of some other rite of the Church.147 It is clear that all interpretations of Sacred Scripture are to be referred back to Christ Himself as the one upon whom the entire economy of salvation hinges, though this should be done in light of the specific context of the liturgical celebration. In the homily to be given, care is to be taken so that the light of Christ may shine upon life’s events. Even so, this is to be done so as not to obscure the true and unadulterated word of God: for instance, treating only of politics or profane subjects, or drawing upon notions derived from contemporary pseudo-religious currents as a source.148

[68.] The diocesan Bishop must diligently oversee the preaching of the homily,149 also publishing norms and distributing guidelines and auxiliary tools to the sacred ministers, and promoting meetings and other projects for this purpose so that they may have the opportunity to consider the nature of the homily more precisely and find help in its preparation.

Please show this to your pastor. While he means well, this is a misguided approach at ecumenism. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is not the venue for this. If he persists, you have every right to remand this issue to the bishop. What your pastor proposes is a serious abuse.

 

[Aramis]

In the spirit of Christian Unity our pastor has invited a Protestant woman minister to preach at all the Masses. Is there a reference I could give my pastor? He is a good man and surely is well-intentioned but I fail to see how this is an act of true ‘ecumenism’ which the Holy Father desires. LMK.

Licitly, only a Catholic Bishop, Priest or Deacon may give a homily/sermon in a Catholic Divine Worship service (including the Roman Mass). An Orthodox priest or deacon, in certain circumstances, may do so… but that’s specific orthodox churches and their specific catholic counterparts.

 

[catholicma]

Thank you for these references…that was fast! It is coming up soon and I know he will not want to dis-invite her. I know what you are going to say about the people being subjected to such things…but this congregation experienced much worse before he arrived. It will go totally over most of their heads. I wish I had learned about this sooner, so there would be time for him to alter the situation. If I mention it to him now, then I put him in a position to commit an abuse knowingly. If I speak to him later, would I be acting with charity and understanding toward his soul? Your thoughts…with charity please.

 

[benedictgal]

Thank you for these references…that was fast! It is coming up soon and I know he will not want to dis-invite her. I know what you are going to say about the people being subjected to such things…but this congregation experienced much worse before he arrived. It will go totally over most of their heads. I wish I had learned about this sooner, so there would be time for him to alter the situation. If I mention it to him now, then I put him in a position to commit an abuse knowingly. If I speak to him later, would I be acting with charity and understanding toward his soul? Your thoughts…with charity please.

If you take action to avert a serious liturgical abuse, that course of action is actually the more charitable to take. Now that you know better, it is your obligation, as I see it, to point this very serious problem to him. This is a serious abuse because it compromises the integrity of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Remaining silent does no one any favors. Silence, as I see it, means ascent. Tomorrow is Thursday, you still have time. It is not charity to invite someone to engage in something that is squarely against the norms and rubrics of the Church. Unfortunatelly, many people consider offending someone a great evil, as opposed to standing up against something that is wrong.

 

[EasterJoy]

Thank you for these references…that was fast! It is coming up soon and I know he will not want to dis-invite her. I know what you are going to say about the people being subjected to such things…but this congregation experienced much worse before he arrived. It will go totally over most of their heads. I wish I had learned about this sooner, so there would be time for him to alter the situation. If I mention it to him now, then I put him in a position to commit an abuse knowingly. If I speak to him later, would I be acting with charity and understanding toward his soul? Your thoughts…with charity please.

He presumably did not attend seminary on the moon. He has no excuse for not knowing the rules. He knows them better than you do. By bringing this up, you won’t be giving him an education, but you may be sparing him having to explain the letters to the bishop, not to mention that he might actually listen to sense and repent from this abuse, which would make it a great charity on your part. And if he won’t listen? You can lead a horse to water, but if it won’t drink, you’ve done the animal no abuse.

She *might *be invited to say a few words about our commonalities, before or after Mass…I would ask Benedictgal, or someone who really knows.

At any rate, you know what you need to do. Talk to him. Do it with all charity, but do not try to rationalize yourself out of doing it at all. You have no authority over him, but now that you have the gift of knowledge, you have the responsibility to speak up…at least, I don’t think you can imagine speaking to the Lord about this, and having to admit you did nothing at all to get him to reconsider.

 

[Lutheranteach]

I could swear I’ve seen this done on the news at a pretty high level, it was several years ago. I think it may have been Lutheran/Catholic after some kind of accord.

 

[benedictgal]

I could swear I’ve seen this done on the news at a pretty high level, it was several years ago. I think it may have been Lutheran/Catholic after some kind of accord.

However, just because it was done several years ago, that does not make it right. The Church does not recognize the validity of the ordinations of other ecclesial communities. Only a validly ordained bishop, priest or deacon can preach at the Mass. No one else is allowed to preach. What you witnessed may have been an ecumenical service, but, probably not the Mass.

Now, when Pope Benedict XVI has presided over these liturgies, specifically under the auspices of Vespers, none of the invited ministers from the other Ecclesial Communities preach. They are seated in the front pew, but, it is the Holy Father who leads the Vespers and preaches the homily.

The Church has already made it clear who can do what during the Mass. The Lutheran minister, with all due respect, does not have a place other than to sit in the pews with the rest of the laity. Now, she can certainly speak at a parish gathering after Mass, but, not during the Mass.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I could swear I’ve seen this done on the news at a pretty high level, it was several years ago. I think it may have been Lutheran/Catholic after some kind of accord.

Ministers of different Christian Communities may join in with Catholic Clergy during Ecumenical gatherings when specific permission has been granted by the local Bishop. Generally these gatherings are prayer gatherings for Christian unity, Catholic Mass is never celebrated at such gatherings.

 

[Pawel_J]

I think your pastor is a daring man and if he is doing it, knowing he is breaking certain rules of the canon law, his intentions must be good. I am sure he is convinced he does the right thing.
There are lots of strict rules in the Catholic Church. If we want to do something in favor of ecumenism, go towards the unity of Christians, we will have to change or abolish some of them. I think such actions from below are very valuable.

 

[benedictgal]

I think your pastor is a daring man and if he is doing it, knowing he is breaking certain rules of the canon law, his intentions must be good. I am sure he is convinced he does the right thing.
There are lots of strict rules in the Catholic Church. If we want to do something in favor of ecumenism, go towards the unity of Christians, we would have to change or abolish some them. I think such actions from below are very valuable.

With all due respect, are you advocating deliberate disobedience to the nroms and rubrics of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? We have already demonstrated, using the authoritative documents of the Holy See, that what the pastor in question is proposing is wrong. This is a serious liturgical abuse. Furthermore, no one, according to the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy (and reaffirmed by Redemptionis Sacramentum) specifically states that no one, on their won authority, can make any changes to the Mass.

With all due respect, I ask that you please reconsider what you have written. As I read your words, you seem to supporting a decision that is squarely against what the Church mandates. No matter how good someone’s intention are, they do not justify tinkering with the integrity of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Doing so is treading on very dangerous ground.

 

[Brendan]

I could swear I’ve seen this done on the news at a pretty high level, it was several years ago. I think it may have been Lutheran/Catholic after some kind of accord.

There was this catholicnewsagency.com/news/controversy_erupts_after_catholic_protestant_clerics_concelebrate_easter_mass/

from a few years ago in Ireland. A Catholic priory invited Anglican ministers to ‘concelebrate’ the Mass (and give the homily).

That resulted in a big investigation by the Primate and Rome and the Augustinians were required to issue a public apology.

 

[Brendan]

I If we want to do something in favor of ecumenism, go towards the unity of Christians, we will have to change or abolish some of them. I think such actions from below are very valuable.

The development of unity between Christians is not served when we pretent that the differences that seperate us are not there. If we attempt to ignore those, we participate in falsehood. And falsehood does not bring anyone closer together and building on a foundation of lies does not promote any meaningful unity.

 

[Brendan]

In the spirit of Christian Unity our pastor has invited a Protestant woman minister to preach at all the Masses. Is there a reference I could give my pastor? He is a good man and surely is well-intentioned but I fail to see how this is an act of true ‘ecumenism’ which the Holy Father desires. LMK.

Discuss this with your pastor, and let him know that you will also seek guidance from the bishop on the matter.

If your pastor still plans on going forward with this, send a registered letter to the bishop outlining the situation (include any flyers or church bulletin articles related to this).

 

[Pawel_J]

… are you advocating deliberate disobedience to the nroms and rubrics of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?
… you seem to supporting a decision that is squarely against what the Church mandates.

By no means, I am not agitating anybody to disobedience. I only think that true ecumenism requires compromise on all sides, including abolishment of regulations that hinder this process. This example shows I am not the only person, who thinks so.

 

[paperwight]

By no means, I am not agitating anybody to disobedience. I only think that true ecumenism requires compromise on all sides, including abolishment of regulations that hinder this process. This example shows I am not the only person, who thinks so.

I absolutely agree.

Our local group of ten different denominations has been doing it for years.

It means that the non-Catholic congregations get to hear a Catholic priest preach, and are usually amazed that it is so Christian, no advocating worshipping statues and the like.

And the teams of non-RCs who come to Mass to preach and do the readings and Bidding Prayers are exposed to Mass and see that it is very meangful to us, and perhaps have a few misconceptions removed.

Who knows what good this spreading out of ripples on the water will do in the long run? They might go home and say to their friends and family,‘Guess what, their Mass is so nice, not at all what I thought it would be’ and plant an interest.

There are many times when rules are bent for the greater good, or for pastoral reasons - playing sentimental recorded songs at a funeral, for example, which is against the rules.

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

The obsession with obeying regulations and overlooking a greater purpose reminds me of children setting up clubs with complicated rule-books so that they can exclude others, I have to say.

Look how many Church rules have been changed because it came to be realised that they were wrong - being forbidden to attend non-RC services being the most glaring example. Who knows, perhaps the rule about who can preach will itself be changed in due course

Rules are not permanent truth, doctrine is. If the sermon being preached by the non-RC is in accord with doctrine, where is the problem?

 

[benedictgal]

By no means, I am not agitating anybody to disobedience. I only think that true ecumenism requires compromise on all sides, including abolishment of regulations that hinder this process. This example shows I am not the only person, who thinks so.

But, when it comes to compromising the integrity of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the line is drawn. True ecumenism does not mean selling out. It does not mean that the Church should compromise on the basic tenents of her Faith, especially when it comes to her highest act of prayer, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. What you are promoting, as I see it, is a false sense of ecumenism that goes against what the Church has mandated.

 

[benedictgal]

I absolutely agree.

Our local group of ten different denominations has been doing it for years.

It means that the non-Catholic congregations get to hear a Catholic priest preach, and are usually amazed that it is so Christian, no advocating worshipping statues and the like.

And the teams of non-RCs who come to Mass to preach and do the readings and Bidding Prayers are exposed to Mass and see that it is very meangful to us, and perhaps have a few misconceptions removed.

Who knows what good this spreading out of ripples on the water will do in the long run? They might go home and say to their friends and family,‘Guess what, their Mass is so nice, not at all what I thought it would be’ and plant an interest.

There are many times when rules are bent for the greater good, or for pastoral reasons - playing sentimental recorded songs at a funeral, for example, which is against the rules.

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

The obsession with obeying regulations and overlooking a greater purpose reminds me of children setting up clubs with complicated rule-books so that they can exclude others, I have to say.

Look how many Church rules have been changed because it came to be realised that they were wrong - being forbidden to attend non-RC services being the most glaring example.

Rules are not permanent, doctrine is.

However, what you and proponents seem to forget is that when Jesus made His comments, he was addressing Pharisaic issues. The Pharisees were trying to impose priestly purification rituals and other duties onto the people Jesus never compromised on the Cultic Temple Sacrificial Worship of Ancient Israel. After all, His own Father issued the dicatates as to how this was to be done and God is not one to contradict Himself. In fact, the norms that the Lord dictated to Ancient Israel prefigure what is going to happen at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Perhaps it would do you well to read this section of the preamble of Redemptionis Sacramentum:

[10.] The Church herself has no power over those things which were established by Christ Himself and which constitute an unchangeable part of the Liturgy.23 Indeed, if the bond were to be broken which the Sacraments have with Christ Himself who instituted them, and with the events of the Church’s founding,24 it would not be beneficial to the faithful but rather would do them grave harm. For the Sacred Liturgy is quite intimately connected with principles of doctrine,25 so that the use of unapproved texts and rites necessarily leads either to the attenuation or to the disappearance of that necessary link between the lex orandi and the lex credendi.26

[11.] The Mystery of the Eucharist “is too great for anyone to permit himself to treat it according to his own whim, so that its sacredness and its universal ordering would be obscured”.27 On the contrary, anyone who acts thus by giving free rein to his own inclinations, even if he is a Priest, injures the substantial unity of the Roman Rite, which ought to be vigorously preserved,28 and becomes responsible for actions that are in no way consistent with the hunger and thirst for the living God that is experienced by the people today. Nor do such actions serve authentic pastoral care or proper liturgical renewal; instead, they deprive Christ’s faithful of their patrimony and their heritage. For arbitrary actions are not conducive to true renewal,29 but are detrimental to the right of Christ’s faithful to a liturgical celebration that is an expression of the Church’s life in accordance with her tradition and discipline. In the end, they introduce elements of distortion and disharmony into the very celebration of the Eucharist, which is oriented in its own lofty way and by its very nature to signifying and wondrously bringing about the communion of divine life and the unity of the People of God.30 The result is uncertainty in matters of doctrine, perplexity and scandal on the part of the People of God, and, almost as a necessary consequence, vigorous opposition, all of which greatly confuse and sadden many of Christ’s faithful in this age of ours when Christian life is often particularly difficult on account of the inroads of “secularization” as well.31

[12.] On the contrary, it is the right of all of Christ’s faithful that the Liturgy, and in particular the celebration of

As I read both your post and Pawel’s, it appears to me that there is a false sense of ecumenism happening here. Rather than try to change what you cannot, it would do both of you, and all of us, well to read the authoritative documents of the Church. That should be your foundation.

After all, Jesus gave his full faith and credit to St. Peter and His Successors, stating that heaven ratifies whatever St. Peter and His Successors bind and loose on earth. That is something I think that both of you are forgetting. As for these rules that both of you, as I read your statements, seem to dismiss, these are essential. It is sad that you are willing to compromise everything for some false sense of unity.

 

[Onegin]

By no means, I am not agitating anybody to disobedience. I only think that true ecumenism requires compromise on all sides, including abolishment of regulations that hinder this process. This example shows I am not the only person, who thinks so.

They ask why Vatican II’s introduction of ecumenism was a bad idea.

This is why.

Let me be as clear as possible here: The Catholic Church *does not compromise *when it comes to matters of faith and morals. These false ecumenical principles have done so much damage to the faith. When things like this can compromise, no one knows the truth anymore.