Pope Says Women Can Read at Mass But Still Cannot Be Priests
2021-01-12
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1The leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Monday changed ancient rules governing duty requirements for religious service.
2The order from Pope Francis officially recognizes women as non-clergy, or lay, administrators during even the highest church service.
3Francis amended the law to make official what is already common in many parts of the world: Women serve as lectors.
4They read passages of the Christian holy book to Catholics gathered for religious service.
5They also serve, like non-clergy men, to assist the priest during the most important ceremony: holy communion.
6Francis said he was making the change to increase recognition of the "precious contribution" women make in the church.
7He added that all confirmed Catholics have a part to play in the work of the church.
8The change comes as Francis remains under pressure to open clergy positions to women.
9Only men are permitted to serve as official leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, and make rules under which all followers are to live.
10Religious history experts say women shared control of Catholic leadership in the early years of the ancient faith.
11Francis has ordered a group of experts to study whether women could be named deacons.
12Deacons are the lowest level of clergy.
13An earlier group had reported to the Pope about the history of women deacons.
14People who support expanding the rules say Catholic females deserve greater say in the direction of the Church.
15They also say such a change would help deal with clergy shortages in several parts of the world.
16Opponents want to continue the Roman Catholic tradition of only permitting men to officially serve.
17Phyllis Zagano was a member of the pope's first study.
18She called the new rules important.
19She said they represent the first time the Church has given women access to the altar by religious law.
20She noted that high-level members of the church have long called for such a move.
21"That's a very big deal," said Zagano, a professor at New York's Hofstra University.
22Lucetta Scaraffia is the former editor of a Catholic Church publication directed at women.
23She called the changes a "double trap."
24She said they make official what is already happening, including at Pope-led services.
25She said the changes also make clear that the office of the deacon is an "ordained" ministry open only for men.
26"This closes the door on the diaconate for women," she told Associated Press reporters in a telephone call.
27She described the change as a "step backward" for women.
28I'm Ashley Thompson.
1The leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Monday changed ancient rules governing duty requirements for religious service. The order from Pope Francis officially recognizes women as non-clergy, or lay, administrators during even the highest church service. 2Francis amended the law to make official what is already common in many parts of the world: Women serve as lectors. They read passages of the Christian holy book to Catholics gathered for religious service. They also serve, like non-clergy men, to assist the priest during the most important ceremony: holy communion. 3Francis said he was making the change to increase recognition of the "precious contribution" women make in the church. He added that all confirmed Catholics have a part to play in the work of the church. 4The change comes as Francis remains under pressure to open clergy positions to women. Only men are permitted to serve as official leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, and make rules under which all followers are to live. 5Religious history experts say women shared control of Catholic leadership in the early years of the ancient faith. Francis has ordered a group of experts to study whether women could be named deacons. Deacons are the lowest level of clergy. An earlier group had reported to the Pope about the history of women deacons. 6People who support expanding the rules say Catholic females deserve greater say in the direction of the Church. They also say such a change would help deal with clergy shortages in several parts of the world. 7Opponents want to continue the Roman Catholic tradition of only permitting men to officially serve. 8Phyllis Zagano was a member of the pope's first study. She called the new rules important. She said they represent the first time the Church has given women access to the altar by religious law. She noted that high-level members of the church have long called for such a move. 9"That's a very big deal," said Zagano, a professor at New York's Hofstra University. 10Lucetta Scaraffia is the former editor of a Catholic Church publication directed at women. She called the changes a "double trap." She said they make official what is already happening, including at Pope-led services. She said the changes also make clear that the office of the deacon is an "ordained" ministry open only for men. 11"This closes the door on the diaconate for women," she told Associated Press reporters in a telephone call. She described the change as a "step backward" for women. 12I'm Ashley Thompson. 13The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 14________________________________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16priest - n. a person who has the authority to lead or perform ceremonies in some religions and especially in some Christian religions 17precious - adj. very valuable or important 18contribution - n. something that is done to cause something to happen 19access - n. a way of getting near, at, or to something or someone 20altar - n. a platform or table used as a center of worship in Christian ceremonies and services 21ordained - adj. related to officially making (someone) a minister, priest, rabbi, etc. 22diaconate - n. the office of deacon