The Vatican has reconfirmed the rule that only priests and deacons can deliver sermons in liturgies, rejecting the request of German bishops to allow laypeople and women to preach.

The Vatican has reaffirmed an old rule, stating that only ordained priests or deacons can deliver sermons during the Catholic liturgy. This decision came in response to a request from the German bishops' conference, which sought permission for laypeople, including women, to preach.

The German bishops, supported by colleagues from the United States and other European countries, argue that many laypeople are capable of providing valuable biblical reflections. However, the Vatican emphasized that reserving preaching for priests and deacons is not just a disciplinary norm, but is related to the nature of the liturgy, in which the priest acts 'in persona Christi'. Although laypeople can deliver sermons at prayer services outside of the liturgy, the Catholic Church maintains restrictions within the liturgy to preserve sacramental integrity.