German Bishops Seek Special Favor for Lay Preaching
Vatican reaffirms only priests/deacons can deliver sermons at Mass. Vatican rejects German Bishops' March 30 request for lay preaching in exceptional cases. German Bishops sought special favor to allow lay members to preach during Eucharist. Vatican's 2026 letter to Bishop Heiner Wilmer states homily reserved for ordained ministers. Catholic Church teaches priests act 'in persona Christi' during worship. Canon law allows laypeople to preach at prayer services outside Eucharist, but not for homily