(ZENIT News / Bruxelles, 12.17.2024).- In a groundbreaking shift within the Catholic Church, a Belgian archdiocese has formalized a directive stating that a laywoman serving as an episcopal delegate will be mentioned in the Canon of the Mass alongside the Pope and the local bishop. The decision has sparked both praise and controversy, marking a step toward a more synodal vision of church governance while challenging traditional boundaries.
Rebecca Charlier-Alsberge, a lay leader and mother of four, was appointed by Archbishop Luc Terlinden in late 2023 as the episcopal delegate for the Vicariate of Walloon Brabant, one of three key divisions within the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels. While her role excludes liturgical functions, Alsberge’s growing presence in church life has led to noticeable changes in liturgical practices, culminating in her formal inclusion within the Eucharistic prayer.
A Quiet Revolution Made Public
The directive, issued as an internal memorandum but later leaked online, outlines how priests must include Alsberge’s title—and her name if desired—in the Eucharistic Prayers during Mass. For instance, in Eucharistic Prayer I, priests will now proclaim:
«We offer them in union with your servant, our Pope N., our Bishop N., our episcopal delegate N., and all who hold to the Catholic faith that comes to us from the apostles.»
This formal acknowledgment solidifies Alsberge’s authority in the vicariate, a position once held exclusively by ordained bishops or priests. It also signals a profound cultural shift, aligning with Pope Francis’s call for a more synodal and participatory Church where laypeople—particularly women—are empowered to lead.
The memorandum further provides detailed guidance on Alsberge’s role during liturgical celebrations. For example, when visiting parishes, Alsberge is instructed to process into the church alongside the presiding priest, sit prominently in the front row, and address the congregation at key moments—after the Gospel and before the final blessing. She also joins clergy in greeting parishioners as they leave the church.
Dis-moi, Église belge, c’est quoi, la cléricalisation des laïcs ? pic.twitter.com/DByehrMoAQ
— Lambdais (@jgdbrs) November 25, 2024
Leading Beyond Tradition
Alsberge herself has approached her role pragmatically, asserting her decision-making authority while clarifying that liturgical functions remain beyond her purview. “Apart from the liturgy, my responsibilities mirror those of my predecessor,” she noted when appointed, referring to auxiliary Bishop Jean-Luc Hudsyn, whose resignation created the vacancy.
Yet her active participation in parish visits—delivering speeches during Masses and engaging directly with pastoral initiatives—has drawn comparisons to the roles traditionally reserved for clergy. This became especially evident when Alsberge joined Archbishop Terlinden in a liturgical procession for the blessing of a new pastoral center, an act symbolic of her leadership within the Church.
Support and Scrutiny
The Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels views Alsberge’s appointment as part of a broader restructuring to better reflect a synodal Church. Archbishop Terlinden described the move as a deliberate step toward greater inclusion: “This reflects Pope Francis’s vision of a missionary Church, where leadership is shared and collaborative.”
However, critics have raised significant theological concerns. Traditionalist scholars argue that the inclusion of laywomen in quasi-episcopal roles represents a rupture with Scripture and centuries of Church tradition. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, a Catholic theologian, emphasized that such roles blur the lines between ordained ministry and lay participation. “The structure of Church governance, rooted in Christ’s example and apostolic tradition, reserves certain roles exclusively for men,” Kwasniewski stated, warning against a drift toward a liturgical redefinition.
A Future in Flux
Rebecca Charlier-Alsberge may be the first laywoman in Belgium to hold such an influential role, but she is not alone in breaking new ground. Marie-Françoise Boveroulle, appointed simultaneously as an assistant delegate in Brussels, represents another step toward increased female leadership in diocesan governance. Together, these appointments signify a shift away from a clerically dominated structure to one that integrates lay leadership at its core.
As the Catholic Church in Belgium navigates these changes, the global implications are clear. The inclusion of a laywoman’s name in the Canon of the Mass raises deeper questions about the evolving relationship between tradition, governance, and participation. While some see it as an overdue progression, others view it as a theological departure.
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