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Pope Francis has taken another step towards liberalising the Roman Catholic church by formally changing its rules, known as the Code of Canon Law, to allow women to administer communion and serve at the altar. The change of "Lay men" to "Lay persons" in the relevant article recognises in law what was already happening in practice in many services. However, it expressly does not allow the ordination of women priests. Kate McElwee, executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, which promotes a female priesthood, explains what she makes of the decision.

Photo: Catholics receive communion at Kinshasa Cathedral, August 2020 Credit: AFP via Getty Images