Pope Francis has appointed three women, two nuns and a laywoman, to a previously all-male committee that advises him on choosing the world’s bishops. The information was released by the Vatican on Wednesday (13).
The pontiff had disclosed the decision in an exclusive interview with Reuters earlier this month, explaining that he wanted to give women more high-level positions in the Holy See.
The three women are Sister Raffaella Petrini, current deputy governor of Vatican City, French nun Yvonne Reungoat and laywoman Maria Lia Zervino, head of the association of Catholic women’s organizations UMOFC.
Francis has already appointed several women, both nuns and lay people, to Vatican departments.
Last year, he named Italian nun Sister Alessandra Smerilli to the number two position in the Vatican’s development office, which deals with issues of justice and peace.
In addition, Francis has appointed Nathalie Becquart, a French member of the Xaviere Missionary Sisters, as undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, which prepares major meetings of world bishops held every few years.
Lay women who already hold senior positions at the Vatican include Barbara Jatta, the first director of the Vatican Museums, and Cristiane Murray, deputy director of the Vatican Press Office. Both were nominated by Francis.
(Edited by Giulia Segreti)
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
