By Devin Watkins

“None of us was baptized a priest or bishop: we were all baptized as lay people, men and women. We are protagonists of the Church.”

Pope Francis made that remark on Sunday after the recitation of the Angelus prayer.

In his prayer intention for October, the Pope says, “We pray that the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the Church.”

Incisive feminine presence

At the Angelus, Pope Francis highlighted the contribution that lay women can make.

“Today we still need to make greater space for a more incisive feminine presence in the Church – I mean a lay presence – but underlining the feminine aspect, because women are often put to one side.”

The Pope also encouraged the integration of women in places where important decisions are made.

And, as in his video message accompanying his prayer intention, he warned against falling into clericalism, which “diminishes the lay charism and even ruins the face of Holy Mother Church.”