VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has broken a long-running tradition of the Catholic community by appointing the first woman to the senior synod post. The woman is to hold the post with voting rights in a body that studies major questions of doctrine. Frenchwoman Nathalie Becquart is the first woman appointed as an undersecretary of the synod of bishops.
The 52-year-old, Nathalie Becquart is one of the two new undersecretaries named to the synod, and where she has been a consultant since 2019. She is a member of the France-based Xaviere Sisters. Becquart has a master?s degree in management from the prestigious HEC business school in Paris and studied in Boston before joining the order. Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary-general of the synod while Saturday?s appointment signals the pontiff's desire marking his words: "for a greater participation of women in the process of discernment and decision-making in the church." Further, he said, "During the previous synods, the number of women participating as experts and listeners has increased. With the nomination of Sister Nathalie Becquart and her possibility of participating in voting, a door has opened." The synod is led by bishops and cardinals who have voting rights and also comprises experts who cannot vote.
The Argentinian-born pope has signaled his wish to reform the synod. He also desires to 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.
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