Pope Francis changed canon law 230. Here are the details (from Vatican News article):
With the Motu proprio Spiritus Domini, which modifies the first paragraph of Canon 230 of the Code of Canon Law, Pope Francis, therefore, establishes that women can have access to these ministries and that this be recognized through a liturgical act formally instituting them as such.
As we all know, we've had women lectors and acolytes for quite some time. Lectors are people who read at Mass and acolytes are people who assist at the altar. The change that Pope Francis is making is to allow women to have these roles in a more permanent form, rather than in the current situation where they are seen as temporary by necessity.
In my humble opinion, this is a very imprudent move by the pope. Sadly, I feel most of his decisions are. I'm sure he is attempting to make the Church more welcoming or modern or to appeal to non-Catholics, but it is doing none of those things.
The problem comes in that we are living in a time of great confusion and heresy. Many Catholics still cling to hope that women will one day be allowed to become priests, something which Pope John Paul II pointed out is impossible. Doing so would be a violation of an infallible teaching of the Church since the time of the apostles.
Of course, that is not what Pope Francis is attempting to do here. However, in this time of confusion and uncertainty, doing something like this exacerbates the situation. To the average Catholic and non-Catholic alike, this represents a step towards women priests and bishops. It further creates division in the Church and does the opposite of solidify a Church doctrine.
In my opinion, allowing a permanent role of acolyte or lector for women in a different era might work. I don't know all the implications, but in a time without as much dissent and opposition, people would recognize the role for what it is and would not associate it with the priesthood. These days, because people are so poorly catechized, this is not clear. It undermines an important teaching.
Serving at the altar really should only be men. Christ chose 12 apostles who were all men despite having women whom he could have selected. This has never changed throughout all the centuries of the Church. Although not strictly prohibited, having women serve on the altar in a permanent way takes away from the understanding that Christ is a man who chose men as apostles and as sacramental priests.
On top of this, many boys who see holy men celebrating Mass are drawn to become men themselves and they explore their vocation because of this. Having various men and women on the altar does not emphasize the uniquely masculine role taking place.
In short, I think this is a bad idea particularly now.
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