Mexican bishop cracks down on laypeople taking roles reserved for clergy

(LifeSiteNews) — A Mexican bishop has issued a decree prohibiting laypeople from presiding over liturgical celebrations.

Bishop Carlos Enrique Samaniego López of Texcoco issued a decree on August 10 in the Episcopal City of Texcoco prohibiting laypeople who have not been instituted as acolytes from presiding over funeral rites, sacraments, liturgies of the Word, and other liturgical acts reserved for ordained clergy.

López said the decree was necessary due to “irregular practices that distort the priestly ministry and the sacred character of liturgical acts.” According to AdVaticanum, the diocese raised concerns about liturgical celebrations taking place in gardens, halls, and other places not proper for worship, sometimes presided over by people who presented themselves as ordained ministers despite lacking the faculties or authorization.

“It is further forbidden, by reason of evident unlawfulness, to use or put on, within or outside liturgical acts, the alb or any sacred ornament or vestment reserved uniquely and exclusively to the clergy,” the bishop stated in his decree.

The regulations instruct priests not to “permit, consent to, or promote illicit practices, abuses, or deceptions,” and to prevent laypeople from taking on roles that exclusively belong to ordained ministers.

The problems addressed by the bishop regarding liturgical abuses contrary to canon law, where laypeople – especially women – take on the roles of priests during Holy Mass, are not only common in Mexico, but in liberal parishes across Europe and the world.

Many bishops in Germany support the development of lay-led celebrations and have recently asked the Vatican to allow laypeople to give homilies during Holy Mass. The Vatican rejected their request; however, some German prelates, like Bishops Peter Kohlgraf and Heiner Wilmer, have implied that they will not enforce the Vatican ban. Kohlgraf said that he would nominally adhere to the directive and not openly promote the practice of lay sermons, but he is not going to stop or discipline those parishes in which it has “become customary” for laypeople to give the homily during Holy Mass.