Pope Francis appoints a woman with the right to vote as undersecretary of the synod of bishops

[UrbScotty]

Breaking with tradition and opening a new door in the synodal process, Pope Francis has appointed a woman, Nathalie Becquart, a member of the Xavière Sisters, Missionaries of Jesus Christ, in France, as one of two new undersecretaries of the synod of bishops. As such, she will have the right to vote in the synod. It is the first time this right has been given to a woman in the synod and raises the prospect that the right could be extended to other women participants at future synods.

Some have questioned whether Sister Nathalie will have the right to vote in the synod, but sources contacted by America point to two reasons for confirming this. First, the apostolic constitution “Episcopalis Communio,” promulgated by Pope Francis on Sept. 15, 2018, states, “The General Secretary and the Undersecretary are appointed by the Roman Pontiff and are members of the Synod Assembly” (Art. 22, No. 3). The members have the right to vote. Second, in an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary general of the synod, speaks in Italian of her “possibilità di partecipare con diritto di voto,” which properly translated to English means “she can participate with the right to vote.”
As the other undersecretary of the synod, Pope Francis appointed a Spanish priest, Luis Marín de San Martín, O.S.A., the assistant general of the Augustinian order, and nominated him bishop.

Pope Francis’ nomination of Sister Nathalie to this position is another affirmation of his determination to appoint women to senior positions in the Vatican that do not require priestly ordination. Commenting on this appointment, Cardinal Grech recalled that “during the last synods numerous synodal fathers emphasized the need that the entire Church reflect on the place and role of women within the Church.” He said Pope Francis has frequently “highlighted the importance that women be more involved in the processes of discernment and decision making in the Church” and has increased the number of women participating as experts or auditors in the synods.

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/02/06/pope-francis-women-synod-voting-nathalie-becquart-239941?fbclid=IwAR0z9sF1gWEF-hJf6s11SLmUOk74d7tLDLmeCuJSanl_UuaBUejN7f9bieQ

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. I didn't know Heaven had a glass ceiling

[thucythucy]

2. The two reforms he could enact immediately

that would do the most to reform the Church would be to allow women into the priesthood, and allow priests to marry.

This would solve a multitude of problems.

[Doreen]

3. That is exactly what I have been saying for years.

The only thing stopping women from being priests is male dominance.

Not letting priests be married is stupid also. I think priests would do better if they could marry. It would help them stay connected more to the reality of life around them. Hard to Council someone on family issues when they have never had their own.

[shrike3]

4. Interesting counter-view to that.

Last edited Sun Feb 7, 2021, 08:20 PM - Edit history (1)

I had a Methodist tell me she thinks unmarried clergy is not a bad idea, because many protestant clergy (her opinion) are terrible at raising their own families. The profession is so demanding that they have little time for their spouses and kids. I found that interesting.

That said, a celibate life appeals to so few that it makes far more sense to allow Catholic clergy to marry.

[thucythucy]

6. There's another reason why the requirment to be celebate is so harmful,

I mean aside from the obvious.

This was mentioned in the movie "Spotlight." Since at least half of all priests break the rule--most of them in consensual relationships---it fosters a culture of secrecy in which abusers--such as pedophiles--can blend in. No one wants to snitch on someone if they are Just as likely to be snitched upon.

I've known ministers who do fine as parents, some who have been quite excellent. But it can be a stressful job, if it's done right.

[shrike3]

8. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says priests are no more likely to abuse

children than any other group. And we've had a few scandals in my area which involve public schools, and towns, those schools and public entities covered up just as much as the church did. Unfortunately, it's a human instinct (circle the wagons) that we humans have to scrap. I just saw a Frontline about a doctor who molested boys on various Native American reservations over a 10-year period. He'd take a job, scope out a community, find victims. His proclivities would become known, his current place of employment (always hospitals) would let him move on to a hospital on another reservation, and away he'd go again. (Sound familiar?) Some hospital administrators agreed to go on camera, surprisingly enough. They admitted they'd kept it hush-hush. Why? Money. Lawsuits. (BIA officials would not go on camera. But apparently his behavior was known by some at the federal level and nothing was done. Again, sound familiar?) Quite honestly, I think that's why the church did it. Lawsuits. Money. Isn't it always about money? It's certainly why the Louisville Police Department did what it did. Its cops were abusing explorers, and what did the city and department do? Cover it all up. Took a victim's lawyer to bring it all to light.

I know many people in many different faiths, and ministers screw up, run away with parishioners, turn out to be bad spouses and parents. They're like any other group. Which is not to say that married and women clergy shouldn't be allowed. Of course they should. It's a different world. People will not accept a celibate lifestyle. (Though Buddhist monks do. Are they overrun with pedophiles?) So, the clergy should be open to married men. AND to women, because that's the right thing to do.

[Doreen]

7. My sister in law is a Lutheran pastor and I saw it work out

well for her and my brother with their family and her work.

[shrike3]

9. Glad to hear that. It was a rather surprising statement, so I thought I'd bring it up. It's a

reminder, I guess, that no situation is perfect. There's also been some high-profile cases (in my area) of ministers eloping with underage parishioners. But you'd find a bad apple in any barrel.

[shrike3]

5. It certainly wouldn't solve all problems. But it would likely solve the clergy shortage.