HELP!! A woman did the sermon at my Mass this Sunday. A SERMON, not talking about her work with the poor and asking for money, but a SERMON. This is the second one she's done when the pastor has been away, but I'm sure he knows and supports it. Is this OK in the Catholic Church? I need guidance on what to do.
It is not okay. I'd absolutely go to the priest. If he is complacent, then take the matter to the bishop. Document everything, including your priests (in)action.
Let's just hope that your bishop will listen.
What diocese do you live in? Sermons by women - or by any non-ordained and non-licensed person - are not permitted.
You need to bring this up to the pastor. If he gives you short-shrift, tell him you're going to contact the Bishop, and then start looking for a new parish.
Rule of thumb: where there's smoke, there's fire. If they're knowingly allowing a woman to give the sermon, you can rest assured there are other liturgical abuses taking place.
Here's something with some teeth in it:
GIRM:
66. 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.
[Reference 65.] Cf. Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 767 ' 1; Pontifical Commission for the Authentic Interpretation of the Code of Canon Law, response to dubium regarding can. 767 ß 1: AAS 79 (1987), p. 1249; Interdicasterial Instruction on certain questions regarding the collaboration of the non-ordained faithful in the sacred ministry of priests, Ecclesiae de mysterio, 15 August 1997 , art. 3: AAS 89 (1997), p. 864.
Canon Law:
Canon 767 ß1 The most important form of preaching is the homily, which is part of the liturgy, and is reserved to a priest or deacon. In the course of the liturgical year, the mysteries of faith and the rules of Christian living are to be expounded in the homily from the sacred text.
Have you asked your priest if he is aware of it? If he is, then you might need to report this to your Bishop.
No it is not ok. Contactthe Bishop and let him know what has been going on.
No, it is not allowed. The only individual that is allowed to give the homily at mass is a bishop, priest, or deacon. You might want to mention this to your pastor in a nice way. If he blows you off, you might want to call your local bishop's office.
only a priest or deacon can give a sermon...
The "priestless parishes" run by PC nuns are being used as a way to slide in the idea that women can be priests...
They could find deacons to run the parishes, but usually deacons are believing Catholics. Too often, PC nuns are the ones who are feminist wiccans who ran off the real nuns twenty years ago...