That's one intriguing element in the final message from the Vatican Synod on the Bible to the world's Catholics. It was news to me -- weren't women already reading at mass? But yes, Proposition 17 (there is a Proposition 8, but I suspect the Roman version has little to do with the California version), approved by the 253 bishops, regards "The ministry of the word and women," and says in its final sentence:
It is hoped that the ministry of lector be opened also to women, so that their role as proclaimers of the word may be recognized in the Christian community.
It's now up to the pope as to whether he'll okay this motion (he has the final word on all the propositions), and according to John Thavis, who has the story at the CNS Blog, this proposition passed with191 votes in favor, 45 opposed and three abstentions -- the highest "no" tally by far. (Most propositions passed with five or fewer negative votes, an indication of the sort of unanimity synods seek, often at the price of substance.)
Of course, my reaction was, Huh? I don't want to get any of my previous pastors in trouble, but I'd swear we've installed women lectors along with men. (Actually, I think "Lady Lectors" would be a great name for a Catholic team, no?) I had known female altar servers weren't strictly legit until they were. But as for women lectors, I guess I was conflating events, or making assumptions based on the absolute commonplaceness of women readers. John Thavis clears up my confusion:
The issue, of course, is not whether women can act as lectors, or Scripture readers, in Catholic liturgies. They already do so all over the world, including at papal Masses. The question is whether women can be officially installed in such a ministry. Until now, the Vatican has said no: Canon Law states that only qualified lay men can be installed on a stable basis in the ministries of lector and acolyte. At the same time, canon law does allow for temporary deputation as lector to both men and women, which is why women routinely appear as lectors.The reasoning behind church laws exclusion of women from these official ministries has long been questioned. For centuries, the office of lector was one of the minor orders, generally reserved to seminarians approaching ordination. While seminarians still are installed formally as acolyte and then as lector before being ordained deacons, since the 1970s service at the altar and proclaiming the readings at Mass have been seen primarily as ministries stemming from baptism and not specifically as steps toward ordination. It's important to emphasize that any proposition for women lectors would simply arive from their baptism and not from any presumptive opening for orders, said one Vatican source.
Well, let's hope this makes the final cut.
