Lay Preaching To Spread In Rochester Diocese

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The abusive practice of laymen — usually nuns or ex-nuns — preaching during Mass, a nearly quarter-century-long practice in several Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Rochester, N.Y., received the imprimatur of Bishop Matthew Clark on April 24, when he issued new norms for lay preaching to take effect immediately.

"I would want for us to enjoy as fully as we possibly can . . . the beauty of lay preaching in this diocese," he said at a May 4 meeting that brought together about 150 priests, pastoral administrators, and parish bureaucrats at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry in Rochester. "It’s a value I don’t want to lose in any way."

True to form, Clark is taking authorized ecclesiastical norms and standing them on their head to produce the contrary effect of what was intended. The sharpest example is that canon law, and the American bishops’ complementary norms, require that any lay preacher authorized by the bishop be orthodox and live an exemplary Catholic life: There is no possibility that any orthodox Catholic could pass by Clark’s heterodox strainers, most of whom have decades-long records and reputations as dissenters from Catholic teaching.

The implications for Catholics in the Diocese of Rochester are enormous: Ambitious lay people who may not like their priests will demand equal time in the pulpit, and if they are heterodox, will receive permission to preach; the possibility that Catholics in the pew will receive Catholic teaching lessens, driving more Catholics into Protestant sects; priests will be increasingly marginalized, discouraged, demoralized, and harassed, and the priest shortage will avalanche.

As one Catholic observed to this reporter: "Imagine if the state suddenly authorized lay physicians or lay dentists or lay engineers, and all those who spent major portions of their lives obtaining the knowledge and expertise for their work had to sit on the sidelines while amateurs and dilettantes preached and engaged in these professional activities. What could be more demoralizing for those in the professions and discouraging for those entering the professions? This holds even more so for a priest, who not only has a period of long preparation, but also makes lifelong commitments, such as celibacy, before he can be ordained.

"Even barbers and plumbers wouldn’t stand for that; but somehow Clark feels the priesthood is superfluous."

Also speaking at the meeting was St. Bernard’s liturgy professor, Fr. Robert Kennedy, who exulted: "We have had for more than 25 years, a wonderful, rich experience of lay preaching in this diocese. It is a rich blessing and is part of what is playing into these norms."

(Kennedy, Wanderer readers will recall, told a March 1996 gathering that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality [see The Wanderer, April 18, 1996]. At the 1997 meeting of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries, held in Rochester, Kennedy told his audience, "I am trying to figure out who I am and what makes me tick. . . . Here I am in midlife. I wonder when I will get to mature adulthood.")

Also on hand for the event was Joan Workmaster, who heads the diocese’s Office of Worship.

Workmaster, who frequently is at Clark’s side during the celebration of special Masses, told the group that the hardest part of the new norms for many to accept will be the prohibition of laity reading the Gospel. According to the report on the meeting published in the diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Courier, Workmaster explained that there is "no detailed text in Church law as to why this practice is reserved for a priest or deacon. She ventured that the Gospel’s relevance to the liturgy is so vital that ‘at that particular time the ordained would come in.’

"She said many lay people who have preached in place of the homily and read the Gospel have done so with good intentions, commenting, ‘I think it came out of the recognition of the value of lay participation in the diocese. I don’t think anybody engaged in it was doing anything radical’," reported Mike Latona.

"But she remarked that the ‘climate of the times’ — a thrust from Rome for all U.S. dioceses ‘to look more closely at what they’re doing’ — lent to the development of norms for the Rochester Diocese."

Last November, the U.S. bishops approved complementary legislation for canon 766 of the Code of Canon Law, on "Lay Preaching," which received a recognitio from the Holy See two weeks later.

The norm states: "Preaching the Word of God is among the principal duties of those who have received the Sacrament of Orders (cc. 762-764). The lay faithful can be called to cooperate in the exercise of the Ministry of the Word (c. 759). In accord with canon 766 the National Conference of Catholic Bishops hereby decrees that the lay faithful may be permitted to exercise this ministry in churches and oratories, with due regard for the following provisions:

"If necessity requires it in certain circumstances or it seems useful in particular cases, the diocesan bishop can admit lay faithful to preach, to offer spiritual conferences or give instructions in churches, oratories or other sacred places within his diocese, when he judges it to be to the spiritual advantage of the faithful.

"In order to assist the diocesan bishop in making an appropriate pastoral decision (Interdicasterial Instruction, Ecclesiae de Mysterio, Article 2 ss3), the following circumstances and cases are illustrative: the absence or shortage of clergy, particular language requirements, or the demonstrated expertise or experience of the lay faithful concerned.

"The lay faithful who are to be admitted to preach in a church or oratory must be orthodox in faith, and well-qualified, both by the witness of their lives as Christians and by a preparation for preaching appropriate to the circumstances.

"The diocesan bishop will determine the appropriate situations in accord with canon 772ss1. In providing for preaching by the lay faithful the diocesan bishop may never dispense from the norm which reserves the homily to the sacred ministers (c. 767ss1; cfr. Pontifical Commission for the Authentic Interpretation of the Code of Canon Law, 26 May 1987, in AAS 79 [1987], 1249). Preaching by the lay faithful may not take place within the Celebration of the Eucharist at the moment reserved for the homily."

It is anticipated the Diocese of Rochester’s new norms will not only preserve lay preaching in those places where it is a tradition, but will encourage other parishes that have not adapted the practice "to feel more comfortable doing so," Workmaster told the Courier.

For those who fear the new norms will restrict lay preaching, Workmaster said many opportunities for lay preaching remain, such as when a priest doesn’t have time to prepare a homily, at parish missions and retreats and other non-eucharistic celebrations.

Kennedy added that the new norms do not cover every situation where and when laity can preach, and that it will take time to define such terms as "useful" and "necessary."

Among the canon law experts at the May 4 meeting at St. Bernard’s was Fr. John Huels, from St. Paul University in Ottawa, who offered a way around Church law restricting laity from preaching during the "moment reserved for the homily."

"Perhaps most importantly for lay preachers," wrote Latona, "Church law does not prohibit the practice of a priest or deacon giving a brief homily during Mass — Fr. Huels uses the term ‘homilette’ — and then giving way to a lay person. Fr. Huels added that the lay preacher should immediately follow the homily, rather than speak after Communion — a slot where announcements and brief talks are often made — because worshipers aren’t as attentive by that time."

Also quoted in Latona’s lengthy feature report for the May 9 Catholic Courier was Fr. Gary Tyman, one of 22 diocesan priests who regularly celebrated Dignity Masses in the diocese.

Tyman said the new norms would affect him and his preacher, Rose Davis, who preaches every six weeks at Holy Rosary and Precious Blood Parishes. "...[T]o comply with the diocesan norms," Latona wrote, "he now plans to offer a reflection during the spot reserved for the homily whenever Davis preaches. Fr. Tyman added that he considers Davis’ role vital for the parish.

" ‘She’s a very fine, a very good preacher. She does a good job of exploring the Scriptures and connecting to what’s going on in people’s lives,’ Fr. Tyman commented. He added that Davis does not read the Gospel when she preaches, although that custom did exist while he was Catholic chaplain at the University of Rochester."

Another revelation in Latona’s report is that the diocese is forming a committee, to be in place by July 1, to clear lay people to preach.

"The norms state," wrote Latona, "that all preachers — ordained and non-ordained — should exhibit such traits as good maturity, critical theological reflection, communication skills, and academic preparation. And all preachers are now required to attend at least one preaching-related workshop, seminar, or course per year. . . .

"Workmaster sees these requirements as elevating an already high quality of preaching in this diocese. . . .

"The norms . . . have been in the works for nearly three years. They were primarily developed by Fr. Robert J. Kennedy, a longtime professor of liturgy; Franciscan Sr. Chris Treichel, pastoral association at Sacred Heart in Auburn; and Workmaster. The process involved consultation with several diocesan committees."

Hell, I'd be happy if the priests in my parish could preach ONE homily without benefit of reading half of it.

I'd be happy if our parochial vicar could get through one homily without taking as his text Carl Rogers or Norman Vincent Peale.

Right. And lay people should teach vascular physiology.

Preaching means to teach. You need knowledge to teach.

The entire Rochester Diocese needs to be given to the Prelature of Opus Dei. I am absolutely serious about that.

The Albany Diocese should also be added to this list. Lest we forget, Albany sporned Fr. Dr. Vosko!

In the Sunday letter from the bishop read at ALL the parishes, Hubbard offers apologies for the misdeeds of the few and reassures the congregants that he has put in place a commission to study how these cases should be handled! NOWHERE does he acknowledge that he has a plan to stop the problem in its tracks. That is because the seminaries in the Albany Diocese are filled with homosexual priests as are many of the parishes. Besides, he is a progressive "modern" thinker who believes that once "THIS POPE" is out of the picture, they can then move on their plans to open the church to active homosexuals, married clergy and female ministers.

The entire Rochester Diocese needs to be given to the Prelature of Opus Dei. I am absolutely serious about that.

The ABC affiliate in Albany NY shows the catholic mass on Sundays @ 8:30am. It is entitled The Table of the Lord . It provides me with a wealth of information on the damage done by our current bishop. The recently refurbished churches, referred to as the "newest gems" in the diocese, where the tabernacle and kneelers have been discarded or moved elsewhere.

This past Sunday, the mass came from the day chapel at my former parish of St. Pius X which also runs a catholic school where my daughter once attended. At this particular mass, the presider was accompanied by a deacon and two adult altar servers. Frankly, I was stunned when the deacon read the gospel and delivered the homily; he also prepared the wine and water for the priest.

Surely, in this situation, there was NO NEED for the deacon (a lay person) to assume so many responsibilities. The mass was in a "day chapel" with a smattering of adults in attendance. As I see it, this is more "in your face" actions on the part of our bishop.

Are the Protestants the only ones who teach homiletics in seminaries any more?

But in with my 2 cents...Part of the problem is you do not have congregations that WANT a 20/30 minute sermon. Unless things have change there were no sermons in the summer so people could "get our" in 20 minutes. Protestants (most of the:>) LIKE sermons..and they are glad to page through their bible following the points for a 1/2 hour.

I do not know how anything of substance is taught in 10 minutes..I pity the Priest that really want to teach

At this particular mass, the presider was accompanied by a deacon and two adult altar servers. Frankly, I was stunned when the deacon read the gospel and delivered the homily; he also prepared the wine and water for the priest.

Do you know the theological significance of the deacon in the Church? Deacons assisted the apostles in the early Church.

Ever go to a Tridentine Solemn High Mass? Not only was the priest assisted by a deacon, but by a subdeacon, and, on occasion, by an "archpriest."

A deacon is NOT a lay person; he possesses Holy Orders, just as the priest, and bishop possess Holy Orders.

There are 25,000 permanent deacons in the Catholic Church. In fact, our esteemed Thomas More, on this site, is about to be ordained to that position this fall.

You might need to read a little more. Everything new is not evil.

Protestants (most of the:>) LIKE sermons..and they are glad to page through their bible following the points for a 1/2 hour.

Well, the reason Protestant ministers are, in many cases, such accomplished preachers is that the Word is all you've got. Catholics, of course, celebrate the Body and Blood of the Lord at every Mass, though the Word is equally important.

I do not know how anything of substance is taught in 10 minutes..I pity the Priest that really want to teach.

It is my contention, not only as one who preached 25 years ago, but as one who has given many presentations in a sales career, that, if you can't say it in 10 minutes, you can't say it in 30 minutes.

The mind can only absorb as much as the butt can stand, and that's about 10-15 minutes.

It is MUCH harder to prepare a 10 minute sermon than it is to talk for 30 minutes.

Interesting. The only place the Peterson-Doyle-Mouton report, given in 1985 to Catholic bishops about the extent of clerical sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in America and ignored by them, is available is at the National Catholic Reporter website.

NCR is held in the same esteem as Hustler, around FR.

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