Pope Francis has appointed three women – two nuns and a laywoman – to a previously all-male committee that advises him on choosing the world’s bishops, the Vatican said on Wednesday.
In an interview earlier this month, the pope had already released his decision, explaining that he wanted to give women more important and influential positions in the Holy See.
They are Sister Raffaella Petrini, an Italian who is currently deputy governor of Vatican City, French nun Yvonne Reungoat, former superior general of a religious order, and Italian laywoman Maria Lia Zervino, president of the World Union of Organizations for Catholic women.
The three women were among 14 people appointed to the Dicastery for Bishops, a collegiate body that vets candidates and advises the pope on which priests should become bishops. The other 11 nominees were cardinals, bishops and priests. The terms last five years.
“In that way, things are opening up a little bit,” Francis said in a July 2 interview with Reuters at his home when he announced the decision to nominate women.
In addition to Petrini, who as lieutenant governor is the most powerful woman in the Vatican, Francis has already appointed several women, both nuns and lay people, to local departments.
Last year, he picked Italian nun Alessandra Smerilli for the number two position in the Vatican’s development office, which deals with issues of justice and peace.
In addition, Francis has appointed Nathalie Becquart, a French member of the Xaviere Missionary Sisters, as co-undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, which prepares major meetings of world bishops held every few years.
Among the lay women who already hold senior positions in the Vatican are Barbara Jatta, the first director of the Vatican Museums, and Cristiane Murray, deputy director of the Vatican Press Office. Both were nominated by Francis.
