ROME — Pope Francis has changed the laws of the Roman Catholic church to formally allow women to give readings from the Bible during Mass, act as altar servers and distribute communion, but they remain barred from becoming deacons or priests.

In many countries, Catholic women were already carrying out those duties, which are officially reserved for men, but by amending the Code of Canon Law, which lays down the rules of Catholic practices, Francis has removed the possibility that conservative bishops might prohibit women from acceding to these positions.

In a letter accompanying the decree announcing the change, Francis said he wanted to recognize the “precious contribution” that women made to the church, as well as that of lay people.

The decree in itself “is not a radical shift,” said Kate McElwee, executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, which fights for gender equality in the church, including the right for women to become priests. “But the church recognizing widely accepted practices by Catholics around the world and taking the steps to be more inclusive is a radical thing,” she added.

The change probably won’t affect many Catholics, especially in developed countries, where women have been serving in these roles for years, she said. “But in communities that use church practice and the way that they treat women as a way to discriminate or defend oppressive practices in society, this could be a step — albeit small — toward greater equality for women,” she said. Read more via New York Times