An Increasing Role for Women in the Church

by CNS · August 18, 2022

Pope Francis greets Sister Raffaella Petrini, an Italian member of the US-based Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. Sr Petrini has been appointed to the Dicastery of Bishops. (CNS photo/Vatican Media via Reuters)

By CNS – There has been much happening at the Vatican lately. Indeed, it’s been rather a large “shakeup” by Pope Francis in the offices there. It is more than simply renaming offices from “congregations” and “pontifical councils” to “dicasteries,” but truly rethinking the roles and functions of these offices, along with increased roles for women in the Vatican.

The archdioceses and dioceses around the world are not at the service of the Vatican, but indeed, it is the other way around entirely. The dicasteries of the Vatican are at the service of the local church found throughout the world in archdioceses and dioceses, just like the chancery offices of a local diocese are really at the service of the local parishes, clergy and parishioners.

In July, Pope Francis, decided to expand the membership of the Dicastery of Bishops to include, for the first time, women members: Sister Raffaella Petrini, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist who is secretary-general of the office governing Vatican City State; French Salesian Sister Yvonne Reungoat, former superior general of the order; and Maria Lia Zervino, an Argentine who is president of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations.

Sister Yvonne Reungoat, the newest member of the Dicastery for Bishops,, is pictured with Pope Francis during a meeting with members of the order in Rome in this Oct. 22, 2021, file photo. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

With the move, Pope Francis has given these three women a significant amount of authority within one of the church’s most important offices.

This important step sets a precedent in developing leadership roles of women in the church, showing that the gifts and charisms of the people of God, male and female, clerical, religious and laity, are all essential in building up the body of Christ.

In addition, by the creation of dicasteries, women will now have an opportunity to head these offices for the Vatican one day in the future.

The Dicastery of Bishops studies and reviews the names and files of priests throughout the world whom Pope Francis might appoint to become bishops. It also studies the needs of particular dioceses and suggests that the Holy Father transfer bishops from one diocese to another.

The dicastery is staffed by Cardinal Marc Ouellet in Rome, undersecretaries who are archbishops and bishops, as well as clerical and lay staff. Members meet twice a month to review dossiers submitted by Vatican nuncios about potential candidates and to vote on the names they recommend to the pope.

Maria Lia Zervino, an Argentine who is president of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations, greets Pope Francis June 11, 2022, during a meeting in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. The Vatican announced July 13 that the pope had named Zervino to be a member of the Dicastery for Bishops. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

When Pope Francis was in Canada this summer, he cited other women who have played large roles in the process of healing and reconciliation, saying that they “best understand how to protect the most important things in life.”

The women he praised were: St. Anne, the grandmother of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint from the territories of what would become the United States and Canada.

The feminine genius so lauded by St John Paul II is coming to fruition in the Vatican.

Through the intercession of Mary, mother of the church, may we continue to grow in appreciation of the gifts and talents of women.

Editorial titled: “An increasing role for women in the church,” published online Aug 5 by The Tablet, newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York