VATICAN City – Pope Francis, in another step towards greater equality for women in the Roman Catholic Church, on Monday changed its law to formally codify their roles as altar servers, distributors of communion and readers at liturgies.
The Pope’s decree formalized practices already common in many countries. But the change in the Code of Canon Law means conservative bishops will not be able to block women in their dioceses from taking those roles.
The Vatican stressed that the roles were “essentially distinct from the ordained ministry,” and so not an automatic precursor to women one day being allowed to become priests.
In an accompanying letter, he said he wanted to bring “stability, public recognition” to women already serving in the roles. (Reuters)
