Lay Preaching

A liturgical ministry which lay people can actively participate in by virtue of their baptism, and with adequate training and support is that of preaching. While preaching is primarily the responsibility of bishops, priests and deacons (CCL 762-764), lay persons may be commissioned to preach in some circumstances.

The Second Vatican Council highlighted the role of lay people in spreading the message of salvation (LG 33) and encouraged the laity to use their gifts, working in co-operation with the bishops, to proclaim the gospel.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference produced a series of National Guidelines on Lay Preaching in 2003. The Australian Plenary Council subsequently called for a review of these guidelines for lay people to participate in a formal ministry of Preaching, in accordance with the Code of Canon Law which provides that suitably qualified lay people may be commissioned by the bishop to preach in situations of necessity or when it seems useful.

‍Can. 766

‍Lay persons can be permitted to preach in a church or oratory, if necessity requires it in certain circumstances or it seems advantageous in particular cases, according to the prescripts of the conference of bishops and without prejudice to can. 767, §1.

‍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.

It is important to distinguish between ‘preaching’ and a ‘homily’. The homily itself is reserved to an ordained member of the faithful, but it is only one form of preaching. Preaching encompasses the breaking open of the Scriptures by a lay person who has been trained and who has that particular gift or charism. Opportunities for preaching may arise in a variety of scenarios, including during the celebration of the liturgy. During Sunday Mass, for example, it is possible for the priest, bishop or deacon to give some introductory words by way of a homily after the gospel and then invite another to speak so that those gathered are enriched by the perspective of other members of the faithful.

Occasions in which lay preaching could be necessary or advantageous might be:

• in the absence of clergy
• when there are particular language requirements
• when a lay person has special expertise in a certain subject
• in Masses with Children (Directory for Masses with Children 24)
• when leading Sunday worship with or without holy communion
• when leading a funeral rite
• when leading Liturgy of the Hours.