VATICAN CITY : Pope Francis has broken with Catholic tradition to appoint a woman as an undersecretary of the synod of bishops, the first to hold the post with voting rights in a body that studies major questions of doctrine.
Frenchwoman Nathalie Becquart is one of the two new undersecretaries named Saturday to the synod, where she has been a consultant since 2019.
The appointment signals the Pontiff's desire "for a greater participation of women in the process of discernment and decision-making in the church", said Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary-general of the synod.
"During the previous synods, the number of women participating as experts and listeners has increased," he said.
A special synod on the Amazon in 2019 saw 35 female "auditors" invited to the assembly, but none could vote.
The Argentinian-born pope has signalled his wish to reform the synod and have women and laypeople play a greater role in the church.
He named Spaniard Luis Marin de San Martin as the other under undersecretary in the synod of bishops.
Becquart, 52, a member of the France-based Xaviere Sisters, has a master's degree in management from the prestigious HEC business school in Paris and studied in Boston before joining the order.- AFP
