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House pursues removal of President Trump
Jesuit to give invocation at Biden’s inaugural
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JANUARY 14, 2021
$1.00 | VOL. 23 NO. 1
Pope changes canon law to formalize women lectors, acolytes
Pope condemns Capitol ‘siege’
CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
VATICAN CITY – 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. “A consolidated practice in the Latin church has confirmed, in fact, that such lay ministries, being based on the sacrament of baptism, can be entrusted to all the faithful who are suitable, whether male or female,” the pope wrote in his order changing canon law. The document, issued “motu proprio” (on his own accord), was published by the Vatican Jan. 11. It changes the wording of Canon 230, paragraph 1. The canon used to say, “Lay men who possess the age and qualifications (CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN) established by decree of the conference A National Guard soldier talks with a U.S. Capitol police officer near the U.S. Capitol in Washington Jan. 9, 2021. of bishops can be admitted on a stable spoke about the COVID-19 vaccine. common good; and may she do so with basis through the prescribed liturgiCINDY WOODEN From an ethical point of view, he all who live in that land.” cal rite to the ministries of lector and CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE said, “I think everyone must take the Pope Francis’ remarks came one day acolyte.” vaccine; it’s the ethical option because after the release of clips of an interview The updated canon will say, “Laity VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis you are playing with your health, life, in which he said he was “astonished” who possess the age and qualifications offered prayers for the people of the by the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol, but you also are playing with the lives established by decree of the conference United States “shaken by the recent of others.” especially because the people of the of bishops can be admitted on a stable siege on Congress” and prayed for the Sometime in the week beginning Jan. United States are “so disciplined in basis through the prescribed liturgifive people who lost their lives “in those 11 the Vatican expects to begin vaccinatdemocracy.” cal rite to the ministries of lector and dramatic moments” when protesters ing residents and employees who have The interview with Italy’s Canale 5 acolyte.” stormed the Capitol Jan. 6. was scheduled for broadcast Jan. 10, but asked to be vaccinated, “and I signed “The decision to confer also on womRemarking on the events after recitup; it must be done.” some clips were aired Jan. 9. en these offices, which involve stability, ing the Angelus prayer Jan. 10, the Pope Francis recalled that when he Violence, he told the interviewer, public recognition and a mandate from pope insisted that “violence is always was a child, polio was a real threat, must always be condemned, but it also the bishop, will make the participation self-destructive. Nothing is gained by “and many children were left paralyzed is true that in even the most “mature” of all in the work of evangelization violence and so much is lost.” and people were desperate for a vaccine. societies, there are violent minorities, more effective in the church,” the pope The pope urged government leaders When the vaccine came out, they gave it “people taking a path against the comsaid in a letter to Cardinal Luis Ladar“and the entire population to mainto you with a bit of sugar.” munity, against democracy, against the ia, prefect of the Congregation for the tain a high sense of responsibility “I don’t know why some people say, common good.” Doctrine of the Faith. in order to soothe tempers, promote ‘No, the vaccine is dangerous,’ but if “But thank God this erupted and In most dioceses around the world national reconciliation and protect the physicians present it to you as somepeople could see it well. That way it can – and at the Vatican as well – women democratic values rooted in American thing that will do good, that doesn’t be remedied,” he said. and girls have been lectors at Mass and society.” carry particular dangers, why not take “No nation can brag about never havhave served at the altar for decades. And he prayed that “Mary Immacuit?” he said. ing a case of violence – it happens,” he That service was possible, not as a late, patroness of the United States of A personal way to honor your loved one’s patriotism to our country. Pope Francis said he could not exsaid. “We must understand it, so it is not formally instituted ministry, but under America,” would “help keep alive the If you have receivedplain a flag honoring your loved one's military service and would like to donate it “suicidal denialism,” but “people repeated – learn from history, right?” culture of encounter, the culture of the cemetery as part of the an “Avenue of Flags" on Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans' Day, must take vaccine.” In the interview, Popeto Francis also to be flown caring, as the way to build together the SEE POPE, PAGE 4
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INDEX National . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 SF Católico . . . . . . . . . . . . 18