Keeping the faith: What happens when a priest is absent?
by Barry de Silva
Sunday Mass has always been and will continue to be central in Catholic life and worship, but what happens when a priest is unavailable?
In the 1980s, fewer priests were available to preside over Sunday services, leading to lay-led liturgies becoming an essential part of many parishes. The Vatican’s 1988 Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest laid the groundwork for such practices globally, and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference adopted similar directives, which remain in use today.
Bishop Greg Homeming acknowledges that these changes are inevitable due to the decline in new priests and instances where priests may not be available. “Given the smaller numbers of those joining the priesthood, parishes will need to be set up to cope with fewer priests. With our current clergy, there could be a situation that arises where the priest is away on leave or there is an emergency in a neighbouring parish,” says Bishop Greg.
“There will be places where it is only possible to have Mass once a month or at some other interval. On those Sundays a lay person will preside over a Liturgy of the Word, and Communion will be distributed. It is important for our communities to understand that these changes are inevitable and to be prepared for them.”
Supporting parishes
Providing parishes with the resources, protocols and processes for lay-led liturgy is a key part of the Diocese of Lismore’s Renewal Journey. Kurt Challinor, Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School in Alstonville, leads the lay-led liturgy team.
“We’re working collaboratively with parishes across the Diocese to discern their immediate and future needs in supporting lay-led liturgies,” explains Kurt. He notes that while these liturgies provide a spiritual outlet, they are not a replacement for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. “It’s important for communities to know the difference between the two because they are very different.”
Feedback from parishes has been instrumental in shaping what form of support they need for lay-led liturgies. A recent survey had a 90% response rate, highlighting the diverse realities. “Some parishes have been doing this for years, while others are just beginning to explore it,” Kurt shares.
A legacy of service
Fr Peter Slack, Parish priest at St Mary’s in Casino, for over 20 years, recounts a similar history of lay-led liturgy over the years. “Even when I first arrived, there were Sundays I couldn’t be in Casino because of my responsibilities in surrounding parishes,” recalls Fr Peter.
“It isn’t anything new, but it shouldn’t become the norm. When we are talking about the Liturgy of the Word from lay people, there are different ways these liturgies can take place. There is Liturgy of the Word with the distribution of Holy Communion, but it’s also recommended that in the week, in the absence of a priest, that Liturgy of the Hours, which is the daily prayer, be celebrated – and this can be done by anybody,” he adds.
“There are numerous examples in history where this has happened, so we shouldn’t think that these rituals are always performed on a Sunday in church. Since the Second Vatican Council, lay men and women, as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, have been bringing the sacrament to the sick.”
The selection of lay people
In the Diocese of Lismore’s document on Sunday Celebrations of the Word Gathering in the Expectation of the Eucharist, it is noted that the parish priest and parish decide what is needed by the way of lay leadership of the liturgy. After ascertaining the willingness of suitable people to undertake lay leadership of the liturgy, the parish priest will discuss the competency needed to perform this. Once the parish priest has illustrated the ability of the nominated individual, he will request delegation from the Bishop. The final steps involve the Bishop sending the delegation of the new lay leader to the parish priest, and later being publicly commissioned as the lay leader of liturgy in the parish.
It is important to note that the Bishop’s delegation of lay leaders of the liturgy will specify the parishes in which the person is to minister, and the term of appointment – which is usually three years. In addition, the Bishop may specify the delegation is to lead Sunday and weekday liturgy, or to lead funeral liturgies, depending on the requirements of that parish.
Lay leadership
At St Mary’s Parish in Casino, pastoral coordinator Steve Ellem has witnessed first-hand the importance of lay leadership. Steve recalls a time when Fr Peter’s flight was delayed, and he stepped in to ensure the service would proceed smoothly.
“Through a few resources, I was able to put together the order of service within the hour and run it past Fr Peter. It meant parishioners were able to listen to the Liturgy of the Word and receive communion on the Sunday.”
Steve sees lay-led liturgies as a key part of the future for St Mary’s and the wider Diocese. “They help keep the community engaged, even when a priest isn’t available. If an entrusted person can read and has a good heart, then why can’t they be recommended as a suitable lay leader.”
Spiritual nourishment
Fr Joe D’Souza, the administrator for Mary Help of Christians Parish in Sawtell, has seen the benefits of lay-led liturgy in nurturing spiritual growth, especially during the absence of the Parish’s former priest. “Lay-led liturgy has kept our community together. It provides regular spiritual nourishment, even though it is not a complete substitute for the role of a priest.”
However, Fr Joe also highlights the challenges of identifying suitable leaders. “It’s about more than just leadership qualities; it’s about living the life of Christ and embracing that role within the community.”
While lay-led liturgies cannot replace the Eucharistic celebration presided over by a priest, they ensure that parishioners continue to gather, worship, and receive Holy Communion. Kurt Challinor sums it up, “We come together in the hope of celebrating the Liturgy of the Eucharist in the future.” Through the Renewal Journey, parishes across the Diocese of Lismore are ensuring that the spiritual growth of communities continues, even when a priest isn’t available.
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