Wisconsin Bishops Weigh Plan to Let Laity Officiate in Priestless Parishes
ST. FRANCIS, Wis. — Wisconsin’s Roman Catholic bishops are considering a plan that would allow trained laity to conduct Sunday services in priestless parishes.
In addition, the Priests’ Council of the Milwaukee Archdiocese is considering a plan that would make a wedding Mass for couples an exception rather than the norm.
Father Michael Newman, chancellor of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, said last week that the proposal for lay-led Sunday services would help address a serious shortage of priests, especially in northern Wisconsin.
Under the plan, which still must be approved by the state’s 10 Catholic bishops before it can take effect, lay people would conduct services that include prayers, hymns, Bible readings and the distribution of Holy Communion.
The service would not be a Mass, and the Eucharist would be consecrated earlier by a priest.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
