Women can read at Mass, but can't be priests: Pope
What's the story
Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly allow women to do more things during Mass while reaffirming they cannot be priests. Francis amended the law to formalize what is a common practice around the world, that women can read the Gospel and serve on the altar as Eucharistic Ministers. Previously, such roles were officially reserved for men even though exceptions were made.
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This will provide recognition to the women's contribution to church
Francis said, "This will increase recognition of the precious contribution women make while emphasizing that all baptized Catholics play a role in the church's mission. This also makes a distinction between ordained ministries and ministries open to qualified laity." The Vatican reserves the priesthood for men.
Deacons and priests
A commission to study whether women can be deacons
The change comes as Francis remains under pressure to allow women to be deacons, ordained ministers who perform many of the same functions as priests, such as presiding at weddings, baptisms and funerals. Currently, the ministry is reserved for men. Francis has created a second study commission of experts to study whether women could be deacons, after first one failed to reach a consensus.
Opposite views
Two different views on whether women should be deacons
Advocates in favor of expanding the diaconate to include women say doing so would give women greater say in the ministry and governance of the church, while also helping address priest shortages in several parts of the world. On the other hand, opponents say allowing it would become a slippery slope toward ordaining women to the priesthood which is currently reserved only for men.