Abstract

The study examines the juridical status of women in the Catholic Church, underlining the historical evolution from its origins to the present time. Despite the tendencial equalization achieved in the current legislation, important restrictions on women's legal capacity remain in the access to established and ordained ministries. The promotion of the role of women requires not only to implement the principle of equivalence in participation in the life and mission of the Church, but also to enhance the specificity of the feminine dimension within the ecclesial communion.