A rather interesting story appeared in the Voice of Galicia news site last week. Apparently, as a result of a shortage of Roman Catholic priests in parts of Galicia, the Bishop of Tui-Vigo has authorised a lay woman to lead worship in seven parishes.
Facing a series of clergy shortages, following the recent departures and retirements of several priests, Bishop Antonio Valín has restructured the parishes of his Diocese of Tui-Vigo in a way which provides better care for each parish, but relies upon lay help.
This has resulted in a lay woman, Señora Almudena Suárez Cerviño, being authorised to lead a celebration of the Word and administer Communion in A Louriña. This means she will be able to lead an act of worship similar to a mass, although without performing the actual consecration of the elements. But this is sufficient to allow faithful Catholics to fulfil their Sunday duty. There is a priest in charge over her, but since he runs several parishes, it could happen that he is unable to lead Sunday Mass in one or more of the churches, when she would step in.
This is a striking story for its similarity – albeit in different circumstances – to the story of Reverend Florence Li Tim-Oi who was ordained in Macau during World War II in response to a shortage of Anglican priests in war-torn China and Hong Kong. Of course the difference is that Reverend Florence Li Tim-Oi was ordained priest whereas Señora Suárez Cerviño will remain a lay person.
Read the full story (in Spanish) here.
Picture above: Bishop Antonio Valín