Synod of Bishops proposes female Lectors
The Catholic News Service reported this story over the weekend – proposition 17 from the Synod of Bishops on the Bible puts forward that
The synod fathers recognize and encourage the service of the laity in the transmission of the faith. Women, in particular, have an indispensable role on this point, above all in the family and in catechesis. In fact, they know how to arouse hearing of the Word and the personal relationship with God, and how to communicate the meaning of forgiveness and evangelical sharing.
It’s hoped that ministry of lector can be opened also to women, so that their role as announcers of the Word may be recognized in the Christian community.
The report states that the proposition passed with 191 votes in favour, 45 opposed and 3 abstensions.
It will be interesting to see what the outcome of this proposition is – while any Catholic can of course perform the task of reading scripture, to be officially installed as a lector currently requires you to be male.
Unofficial women lectors are a common sight in churches, and the train of thought seems to be that since they are already fulfilling that role, it will not be a large gap to bridge to simply install them officially.
What are the chances of this proposition being realised, and is it possible it could have further consequences? If things are made official by habit, then could positions such as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (the misuse of which was addressed in Redemptionis Sacramentum) become standard use in services, simply because they are habitually used in service?
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 and is filed under The Church, Thoughts & Questions, Views on News.
Responses are currently closed
Lester Maher Says:
I think she would be a “lectress”
February 7th, 2009 at 4:21 pm