Francisco institutionalizes canon law that already comes into practice: women’s access to the word and altar service. The choice of the pontiff explained in a letter to Cardinal Luis Ladaria, the union’s influence for the doctrine of faith
Vatican news
Pope Francis established with Motu Proprio that the ministries of Leitiredo and Acolito were now open to women, even in a stable and institutional manner, with a special mandate. Women who recite the word of God during their festivities or who serve the altar, as ministers or as dispensers of the Eucharist, are certainly not new: in many communities around the world they are now bishops. Is a practice authorized by. So far, however, all this has happened without a right and proper institutional mandate, established by São Paulo VI, which in 1972 decided to have access to these ministries, ending the so-called “modest order” . Men because he considered them preparations for eventual use for the Holy Order. Now Pope Francis, following the path of conscience emerging in the last Synod of Bishops, wanted to make this woman’s presence at the altar official and institutionally.
Motu Proprio establishes the pontiff with “Spiritus Domini”, which modifies the first paragraph of Code 230 of Canon Law, which is published today, so women can have access to these ministries and hold them responsible for it goes. A legal action that institutionalizes them.
Francis specifies that he wanted to accept the recommendations emanating from various synagogues, writing that “a doctrinal development has been achieved in recent years that highlights that some of the ministries established by the Church are in the general sense of baptism.” Status and are based on the royal priesthood received at the sacrament of baptism. “. Therefore, the Pope invites us to believe that these are “indistinguishable from the ministry we receive with the sacrament of order of ministry”.
The new canon of the canon states: “Elders and gifts prescribed by the Decree of the Conference of Bishops may be permanently, permanently appointed to the reader and ministries of ministries through established liturgical rites”. Therefore, the “men” specification for laying people has been abolished and is present in the text of the code until today’s amendment.
The Motu Proprio is addressed to Cardinal Luis LaDaria, with a letter to the Pretender of the Congregation for the Dochetin of the Faith, in which Francis explains the religious reasons for his choice. Pope writes that “In the horizon of renewal outlined by the Second Vatican Council, today there is a growing need to redefine the mission of all baptized co-responsibility and especially laughter in the Church.” The Synod, for Amazon, notes that “for the whole Church, in various situations, it is imperative that ministries be promoted and conferred on men and women …. It is the Church of Baptism that we must consolidate, the ministry. Should promote and, above all. Awareness of baptism dignity “.
Francis, in his letter to the Cardinal, recalled with the words of St. John Paul II that “in relation to ordained ministries, the Church does not have the faculty in any way to establish priestly ordination over women”, he says That it is “uncontrollable possible for ministries, and today it seems expedient to cross this reserve. The Pope explains that” offering baptism to people of both genders the possibility of access to the ministry of the acolyte and the reader Will increase recognition, through a litigation act (institution) of valuable contributions, based on their participation in the priesthood. For a long time many people, including women, offer for the life and mission of the church ”. And he concludes that “the choice to grant these positions to women, including stability, public recognition, and a mandate from the diocese, makes everyone’s participation in evangelism more effective in the church”.
This measure is the conclusion of the deepening of religious reflection on these ministries. In fact later theologies have rediscovered the relevance of Lecter and Acolyte, not only in relation to organized priests, but also and above all in terms of baptized priests. These ministries are part of the dynamic of mutual cooperation that exists between the two priests, and they emphasize their characteristically “secular” character, which is associated with the exercise of priests related to all those baptisms.
