Mexican bishop bans laypeople from presiding over liturgical celebrations

 Niwa Limbu

Aug. 27, 2026

A Mexican bishop has issued a decree restricting laypeople from presiding over certain liturgical celebrations and wearing vestments reserved to the clergy

Bishop Carlos Enrique Samaniego López of Texcoco has issued a decree prohibiting laypeople who have not been instituted as acolytes from presiding over celebrations of the Word, funeral rites, sacramentals and other liturgical acts reserved to ordained ministers.

The decree, promulgated on 10 August in the Episcopal City of Texcoco, also prohibits laypeople from wearing the alb and other sacred vestments reserved to the clergy, whether during liturgical celebrations or outside them. 

Bishop Samaniego said the measures were necessary because of “irregular practices that distort the priestly ministry and the sacred character of liturgical acts”. Particular concern was raised about celebrations taking place in halls, gardens and other locations that have not been approved for worship, sometimes involving people who present themselves as ministers despite lacking the necessary authorisation.

The bishop specifically named former seminarians, religious, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and other lay faithful who have not been instituted in the stable ministry of acolyte. Such people, the decree states, may not preside over celebrations of the Word, funeral rites, sacramentals or “any kind of celebration or liturgical act proper to an ordained minister”, whether inside churches belonging to the Diocese of Texcoco or elsewhere.

The prohibition is accompanied by a warning about the use of clerical or liturgical clothing. “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 decree states.

The regulation is directed not only at laypeople but also at priests serving in the diocese. Bishop Samaniego instructed priests incardinated in Texcoco, as well as priests from other dioceses who are invited to celebrate there, to ensure that liturgical acts are celebrated “validly and licitly”.

Priests are told not to “permit, consent to, or promote illicit practices, abuses, or deceptions” and are instructed to prevent laypeople from assuming responsibilities that belong exclusively to the ordained ministry.

More: https://x.com/niwalimbu1988/status/2092905675168862385?s=46&t=IydJ-X8H6c0NM044nYKQ0w