Pope Francis Breaks Protocol, Appoints Three Women To Vatican Department

For the first time ever, Pope Francis has appointed two nuns and a laywoman to the Vatican committee that aids in selecting new bishops.

On Wednesday, July 13, a statement from the Holy See Press Office announced the Pope’s most recent appointments to the Dicastery.

Sister Yvonne Reungoat, F.M.A., former Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sister Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E., Secretary General of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, and Dr Maria Lia Zervino, President of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations, are the female members.

The Dicastery for Bishops, which screens applicants and counsels the pope on which priests should become bishops, is formed by the appointment of 14 persons, including the three women. Cardinals, bishops, and priests make up the remaining 11 people appointed on Wednesday.

Raffaella Petrini, Yvonne Reungoat, and laywoman Mara Lia Zervino were all appointed to the Dicastery for Bishops as part of Pope Francis’ efforts to advance gender equality in the Church’s leadership and management posts.

The 85-year-old pope has advocated for more gender equality within the Vatican hierarchy and has defied centuries of tradition by appointing women to several important positions that were traditionally held by men.

The Argentine pope issued a decree last year allowing women to serve as communion servers, altar servers, and readers at liturgies, but he stopped short of suggesting that the change would one day allow women to become priests.