A reader writes:

A-while back in this post (HERE) you categorically state that only the ordained can proclaim the Gospel (with the two exceptions of Palm Sunday & Good Friday). As you alluded to later in this post, my parish is also suffering from a creeping tendency to involve more and more people (since January it’s gone from just the priest and a deacon to those two plus our pastoral director (female, non-ordained, non-religious)).

Before I — politely — call the priest and/or liturgy committee, is there an exact source/citation that you can provide to me about this matter? I’ve tried the Catholic Answers fora, but they also provide no precise reference to Church documents.

Here’s whatcha need: The current edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal which is approved, translated, and in force in the U.S. says–

59. By tradition, the function of proclaiming the readings is ministerial, not presidential. The readings, therefore, should be proclaimed by a lector, and the Gospel by a deacon or, in his absence, a priest other than the celebrant. If, however, a deacon or another priest is not present, the priest celebrant himself should read the Gospel. Further, if another suitable lector is also not present, then the priest celebrant should also proclaim the other readings.

Also, the recently-released instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum states:

[63.] “Within the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, the reading of the Gospel, which is “the high point of the Liturgy of the Word”, is reserved by the Church’s tradition to an ordained minister. Thus it is not permitted for a layperson, even a religious, to proclaim the Gospel reading in the celebration of Holy Mass, nor in other cases in which the norms do not explicitly permit it.

The reader also writes:

PS You mentioned last week that you plan to be in Kentucky next month. I’m in Frankfort and would welcome the chance to come hear a talk by you. Any details as yet?

Sure. I’m supposed to give my conversion story in Hopkinsville at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23. Hope to see you there! (Will post the name of the parish later. Don’t have it handy.)