VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis has appointed two women to Vatican posts previously held only by men, in back-to-back moves that empower women in the male-dominated Holy See.
On Saturday he appointed Nathalie Becquart, a French member of the Xaviere Missionary Sisters, as co-undersecretary of the Synod of the Bishops, a department that prepares important meetings of world bishops to be held every few years on a different topic.
The previous day, Francis appointed Italian magistrate Catia Summaria as the first female promoter of justice in the Vatican’s Court of Appeal.
Becquart’s position, basically a joint number two, will give her the right to vote in the all-male assemblies, something many women and some bishops have been asking for. She is 52, relatively young by Vatican standards.
Women have participated in previous synods as observers and advisers, but only “Synod Fathers”, including bishops and specially appointed or elected male representatives, could vote on the final documents sent to the Pope.
At a synod in 2018, more than 10,000 people signed a petition demanding that women be given the right to vote.
“A door has been opened. We will see what other steps can be taken in the future, ”Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary general of the synod, told the official Vatican News website.
While upholding the Church’s tradition of excluding women priests, Francis has established committees to study the history of women deacons in the early centuries of the Catholic Church, in response to calls from women to take up the role today. take.
Last year, Francis instantly appointed six women to senior positions on the board that oversees the Vatican’s finances.
He has also appointed women to the posts of Deputy Secretary of State, Director of the Vatican Museums and Deputy Chief of the Vatican Press Service.
Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Frances Kerry