VATICAN: On Jan 11, Pope Francis published an apostolic letter issued motu proprio (which means “on his own impulse” in Latin), modifying canon law regarding women’s access to the ministries of lector and acolyte. He also released a letter to Vatican doctrinal chief Cardinal Luis Ladaria explaining his reasoning for the decision.
What’s changed?
In the document, Spiritus Domini, the Pope changed Church law so that women can be formally instituted to the lay ministries of lector and acolyte.
The Pope modified the wording Canon 230 §1 of the Code of Canon Law, which previously limited the ministries to lay men.