Regarding the article “Western Pa. Catholics anticipate papal conclave to usher in new era” (May 8, TribLive): It was not Pope Francis who “opened the way” for women and girls to serve as readers and altar servers at Mass, and to assist priests or administer Communion. Women and girls have been part of the Mass a long time. I served as a Eucharistic minister 45 years ago.
Women have served as readers since the 1970s, and in 1994 Pope John Paul II changed canon law to allow women and girls to serve as altar servers. In 2021, Pope Francis changed the law to allow women to be formally installed as lectors (readers) and acolytes (Mass assistants, including distributing Communion).
Dorothy Lucas
Harrison