We express our gratitude to Pope Francis for the Motu Proprio Spiritus Domini, and to all those who have contributed in the study and research for this new step that sees the ministerial participation of women in the Church.

We are pleased to read that the title of the Motu Proprio is Spiritus Domini. As the Holy Father says in the letter addressed to Cardinal Ladaria, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the decision that not only men but also women can be instituted Lectors or Acolytes is a sign and a response to the “dynamism that characterizes the nature of the Church”, a dynamism proper to the Holy Spirit that constantly challenges the Church in obedience to Revelation and reality.

This document is given to us on the day of the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, the day when God reveals himself in communion with Jesus who becomes a servant. Looking at Jesus, we renew our common baptismal dignity as sons and daughters in Him, as brothers and sisters. From the baptismal font and then from the chrism anointing, all of us baptized are made participants in the life and mission of Christ and are capable of serving the community.

Being able to contribute to the mission of the Church, sharing the ministries, will help us understand, as the Holy Father says in the letter, that in this mission “ordained each other”, ordained and non-ordained ministers, men and women. women, in a mutual relationship. This reinforces the evangelical witness of communion.

In many places women, and especially consecrated women, according to the directives of the bishops, carry out various pastoral ministries that respond to the needs of evangelization. And so the Motu Proprio, with its universal character, is a confirmation of the Church’s path in the recognition of service.

Spiritus Domini: declaración de la UISG