Women in the Church

Is it run by men, for men?

The Church says it is not, though its priests and bishops are men. Man and woman were created “in perfect equality as human persons”, with “one and the same dignity”, and God himself “is neither man nor woman”. CCC 369; CCC 370 What is closed to women is ordination to the priesthood, and so the offices that require it.

The Church does not present this as a judgment on women. “Jesus Christ did not call any women to become part of the Twelve”, though he broke with the customs of his time towards women; the Church holds that it “is bound by Christ’s manner of acting”, and that its practice is “not one of archaism but of fidelity”. Inter Insigniores 2; Inter Insigniores 4 John Paul II read the Gospels as showing that Christ’s way of acting “is a consistent protest against whatever offends the dignity of women”, and noted that women were the first at the empty tomb and the first sent to tell the apostles. Mulieris Dignitatem 15; Mulieris Dignitatem 16

The Code speaks of lay people, not of men. They may hold the Church offices the law allows them, and advise the pastors “as experts and advisors, even in councils”; they may study theology, take its degrees and be mandated to teach it. Can. 228; Can. 229 Since 2021 women may be installed as lectors and acolytes, and a bishops’ conference may allow lay judges in a diocesan court. Can. 230; Can. 1421; Francis, motu proprio Spiritu Domini, 10 January 2021 Lay people also have “the right and even at times a duty” to tell their pastors what they think. CCC 907

At the centre, the 2022 reform of the Roman Curia provides for lay women and men “also in roles of government and responsibility”, and allows “any member of the faithful” to head a Vatican department, depending on what its work requires. Praedicate Evangelium 10; Praedicate Evangelium 12

Alexander Ivanov, Christ’s Appearance to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection, 1835. State Russian Museum, Saint Petersburg.

Jn 20:17

369

Man and woman have been created, which is to say, willed by God: on the one hand, in perfect equality as human persons; on the other, in their respective beings as man and woman. "Being man" or "being woman" is a reality which is good and willed by God: man and woman possess an inalienable dignity which comes to them immediately from God their Creator. Cf. Gen 2:7, 22. Man and woman are both with one and the same dignity "in the image of God". In their "being-man" and "being-woman", they reflect the Creator's wisdom and goodness.

370

In no way is God in man's image. He is neither man nor woman. God is pure spirit in which there is no place for the difference between the sexes. But the respective "perfections" of man and woman reflect something of the infinite perfection of God: those of a mother and those of a father and husband. Cf. Is 49:14-15; 66: 13; Ps 131:2-3; Hos 11:1-4; Jer 3:4- 19. "Each for the other" - "A unity in two"

903

Lay people who possess the required qualities can be admitted permanently to the ministries of lector and acolyte. Cf. CIC, can. 230 # 1. When the necessity of the Church warrants it and when ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply for certain of their offices, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer Baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion in accord with the prescriptions of law." CIC, can. 230 # 3.

906

Lay people who are capable and trained may also collaborate in catechetical formation, in teaching the sacred sciences, and in use of the communications media. Cf. CIC, cann. 229; 774; 776; 780; 823 # 1.

907

"In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess, [lay people] have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons." CIC, can. 212 # 3.

910

"The laity can also feel called, or be in fact called, to cooperate with their pastors in the service of the ecclesial community, for the sake of its growth and life. This can be done through the exercise of different kinds of ministries according to the grace and charisms which the Lord has been pleased to bestow on them." Paul VI, EN 73.

228

§1. Lay persons who are found suitable are qualified to be admitted by the sacred pastors to those ecclesiastical offices and functions which they are able to exercise according to the precepts of the law.

§2. Lay persons who excel in necessary knowledge, prudence, and integrity are qualified to assist the pastors of the Church as experts and advisors, even in councils according to the norm of law.

229

§1. Lay persons are bound by the obligation and possess the right to acquire knowledge of Christian doctrine appropriate to the capacity and condition of each in order for them to be able to live according to this doctrine, announce it themselves, defend it if necessary, and take their part in exercising the apostolate.

§2. They also possess the right to acquire that fuller knowledge of the sacred sciences which are taught in ecclesiastical universities and faculties or in institutes of religious sciences, by attending classes there and pursuing academic degrees.

§3. If the prescripts regarding the requisite suitability have been observed, they are also qualified to receive from legitimate ecclesiastical authority a mandate to teach the sacred sciences.

230

§1. Lay persons who possess the age and qualifications established by decree of the conference of bishops can be admitted on a stable basis through the prescribed liturgical rite to the ministries of lector and acolyte. [Cf. Letter of the Holy Father to the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding access of women to the ministries of Lector and Acolyte (10 January 2021)]

Nevertheless, the conferral of these ministries does not grant them the right to obtain support or remuneration from the Church.

§2. Lay persons can fulfill the function of lector in liturgical actions by temporary designation. All lay persons can also perform the functions of commentator or cantor, or other functions, according to the norm of law.

§3. When the need of the Church warrants it and ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply certain of their duties, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion, according to the prescripts of the law.

1421

§1. In a diocese, the bishop is to appoint diocesan judges, who are to be clerics.

§2. The conference of bishops can also permit the appointment of lay persons as judges; when it is necessary, one of them can be selected to form a college.

§3. Judges are to be of unimpaired reputation and doctors or at least licensed in canon law.

Praedicate Evangelium Mar 19, 2022
Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church and in the World Jul 31, 2004
Mulieris Dignitatem Aug 15, 1988
Inter Insigniores Oct 15, 1976

From the Catechism

In the Code

From the Magisterium