Women in the Liturgy in the Vision of Pope Francis

Where is the rightful place of women in the liturgy? How do the liturgical initiatives of Pope Francis uplift and empower women, particularly in the service of the liturgy? Using Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza’s theology of ekklesia of women, this study examines the dynamics of Pope Francis’ liturgical initiatives expressed in his promotion of greater participation of women in the liturgy through baptism; the groundbreaking decision to include and readjust the regulations to permit women to serve as acolytes and lectors; and the creation of study commissions on the female diaconate. Within these initiatives, the focus is the revival of women’s participation as evidenced in the earliest epochs of the Church and how these profound adjustments affected Catholic Christian women in every aspect of their lives. Undeterred by the struggles women are facing, the liturgy empowers them to serve with equal commitment and fervor as their male counterparts.