Joy, frustration and humor: reactions to Vatican law change on lectors, altar servers (National Catholic Reporter)

In the wake of Pope Francis’ announcement Jan. 11 that officially opened altar serving, lectoring and eucharistic ministries to all “lay persons,” rather than just men, Catholic organizations and individuals expressed a mix of emotions, including joy, disappointment and a bit of wry humor — or just plain surprise.

Some saw the move as a positive step that more fully recognizes women’s roles in the church.

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Kate McElwee, executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, a Catholic feminist organization, said in a Jan. 11 statement that the Vatican law change was “not a radical shift” but showed that Francis is willing to adapt church teaching to reflect the times and what laypeople believe. This openness, she said, could lead to other moves toward gender equality.

“While we will continue to uncompromisingly advocate for the full equality of women,” McElwee said, “the strengthening of the baptismal equality of all people through this change will impact communities that use the Roman Catholic Church’s unjust treatment of women to defend oppressive practices in society.”

Read the full article from the National Catholic Reporter here.