杏MAP导航

By Vatican News staff writer

The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) has expressed its gratitude to 杏MAP导航 Francis for his Motu Proprio Spiritus Domini, which institutionalized the ministerial participation of women in the Church.

On Monday, 杏MAP导航 Francis, with a Motu Proprio, established that from now on the ministries of Lector and Acolyte are to be open to women, in a stable and institutionalized form through a specific mandate.

Though it is not new in many communities to see women proclaiming the Word of God during liturgical celebrations or carrying out a service at the altar as altar servers or Eucharistic ministers, it had been done up till now without a proper institutional mandate.

Spiritus Domini: response to dynamism of the Church

鈥淲e are pleased to note that the title of the Motu Proprio is Spiritus Domini,鈥� UISG said in a statement released on Tuesday on its website.

鈥淭he decision that not only men but also women may be instituted as Lectors or Acolytes is a sign and a response to the 鈥榙ynamism that characterizes the nature of the Church,鈥� a dynamism that is proper to the Holy Spirit constantly challenging the Church in obedience to Revelation and reality.鈥�

UISG also notes that the document was released in conjunction with the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord 鈥� a day God 鈥渋s revealed in communion with Jesus who became a servant.鈥� Looking at Jesus 鈥渨e renew our common baptismal dignity as sons and daughters in Him, as brothers and sisters. From the baptismal font and then the chrismal anointing we, all baptized men and women, become sharers in the life and mission of Christ and capable of serving the community.鈥�

Contributing to the Church鈥檚 mission

Being able to contribute to the mission of the Church, sharing the ministries, the Superiors General emphasize, will 鈥渉elp us understand, as the Holy Father says in his letter accompanying the Motu Proprio, that in this mission 鈥渨e are ordained to each other鈥�, ordained and non-ordained ministers, men and women, in a mutual relationship.

This, UISG stresses, 鈥渟trengthens the evangelical testimony of communion.鈥�

UISG also highlights that the universal character of the Motu Proprio is a confirmation in the Church鈥檚 path in acknowledging the service of so many women who have cared and continue to care for the service of the Word and the Altar.

In many places, the statement notes, 鈥渨omen, and especially consecrated women, fulfill different pastoral ministries following the guidelines of the bishops, in responding to the needs of evangelization.鈥�