Sr. Raffaella Petrini meets Pope Francis. / Vatican Media.Vatican City, Jul 13, 2022 / 04:48 am (CNA).Pope Francis on Wednesday named three women to the Dicastery of Bishops, the Vatican office responsible for evaluating new members of the Catholic Church s hierarchy.The two religious sisters and one consecrated virgin are the first women to ever be named members of the dicastery.Sister Raffaella Petrini, a Franciscan, has been secretary general of the Vatican s governorate, the second-ranking position in the government of the Vatican City State, since November 2021.Sister Yvonne Reungoat, is superior general of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, a branch of the Salesians. In 2019, the French sister was one of the first seven women to be named members of the Vatican department for religious orders.Maria Lia Zervino, a member of the Association of Consecrated Virgins "Servidoras," is president of the World Union of Catholic Women s Organizations. She is also a consultan
Pontiff names two nuns and a laywoman, Argentine María Lia Zervino, to the Vatican department that helps choose new bishops – the first time women have been allowed to serve on the body.
Pope Francis has appointed three women to the Dicastery for Bishops, giving women a direct role for the first time on the body that selects candidates to become bishops.
Italian sister Raffaella Petrini, French sister Yvonne Reungoat and laywoman Maria Lia Zervino will join the previously all-male office, the Vatican said on Wednesday.