Saint Ignatius was opposed to women Jesuits for reasons that were cultural, practical and canonical, but other Jesuits were not. The question was a hot topic in the early Society.

Women have served as lectors and acolytes for decades. Now Pope Francis has changed canon law to formally recognize their ministry.

Recognizing “the gifts of each baptized person”—women and men—Pope Francis ordered a change to canon law and liturgical norms so that women could be formally installed as lectors and acolytes.

The head of the German bishops’ conference called for far-reaching changes to the Catholic Church and criticized the Vatican’s treatment of the church in his country.

Catholic women theologians said that they were tired of hearing words promoting women in the church without accompanying actions that place women in the clear leadership roles.

The C.D.F. said today: ‘We did everything possible to dialogue with Father Flannery. It wasn’t always easy.’