Acta Apostolicae Sedis: Issue 2, February, 2021
- 2
- Holy See
- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
- Vatican City
- 2021-02 AD
Pope Francis begins the issue with Spiritus Domini, amending canon 230 §1 so that women as well as men may be formally instituted as lectors and acolytes. These non-ordained ministries are grounded in the common priesthood of the baptized and distinct from Holy Orders; episcopal conferences are to establish criteria for candidates and preparation. The issue records the beatification of Richard Henkes, who died after caring for typhus victims in Dachau, and Benedicta Bianchi Porro, as well as decrees on heroic virtue and miracles concerning Marie-Antoine of Lavaur, Maria of Mount Carmel, Devasahayam, Maria Francesca of Jesus, and Carlo Acutis. Papal homilies and messages address adoration, patient and charitable religious community life, pastoral care in marriage-nullity cases, kerygmatic catechesis, compassionate service to the sick during the pandemic, firsthand communication, missionary witness, and human fraternity. Liturgical decrees add memorials for Gregory of Narek, John of Avila, Hildegard of Bingen, and Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, supplying prayers, readings, and biographical texts. The closing sections record episcopal and curial appointments, the deaths of prelates, recent publications, and administrative information concerning the Holy See’s official journal.
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