Women have long demanded a greater say in church governance, at the very least with voting rights at the periodic synods at the Vatican but also the right to preach at Mass and be ordained as priests
The Catholic Church is dominated by men but is making progress on giving a stronger voice to women, representatives of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), an umbrella group of Catholic nuns, said on Wednesday. Pope Francis has appointed a few women in senior Vatican managerial positions, and has for the first time given them voting powers in this month's synod, a bishops' summit discussing church reforms. At the same time, Francis has ruled out opening up the priesthood to women.
Three Catholic sisters said they are hopeful that the church's synodal process might bring increased leadership roles for women. They also stressed that they already have significant influence as women religious.
Moments of frustration but also hope: Sisters believe synod will bring slow change ncronline.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ncronline.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.