For the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, women will participate and vote in the Vatican meeting under the leadership of Pope Francis.
The Pope is the head of the world’s Catholic Christians. He is also known as Pope Francis. He is the head of Vatican City. Vatican City is an autonomous independent city in Rome, Italy.
Argentine Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church since 2013.
Under the Pope are cardinals, bishops, priests and deacons. Cardinals elect the Pope. One of the cardinals is chosen as the Pope.
In this case, in the Vatican meeting under the leadership of Pope Francis, only men in various positions came to vote in the important decisions about the Catholic Church. Women’s right to vote had long been demanded.
In that way, for the first time, women are going to participate in the Vatican meeting and vote.
Women’s participation in this gathering, which has been dominated by men for about 2,000 years, is seen as a historic event.
For this purpose, a 4-week meeting is being held at the Vatican starting in October. In this meeting, reforms of the Catholic Church and new rules are discussed.
Pope Francis has called for discussions on the future of the Roman Catholic Church, including married priests, homosexuals, rites for divorce and remarriage, and the role of women in churches. This meeting will end on October 29.
For the first time in this meeting, 365 bishops and 54 women will vote.
Earlier, the 2021 meeting itself discussed the role of women in the Catholic Church. It has been talked about for the past two years and is now being implemented at the Vatican meeting.
That is, in this meeting, the ‘role of women in churches’ emerged as a major issue and it was emphasized that there should be more women in administrative positions and they should be given decision-making authority. Also, addressing discrimination faced by women in churches was also discussed. Some countries have insisted that women be ordained as deacons.
A Sarar says that the emphasis on giving importance to women may be delayed in the meeting.
Lawyer Helena Jepsen-Spahler, who attended the meeting, said that some priests, bishops and cardinals openly supported the advancement of women and some supported the ordination of women as deacons. He also said that he was happy that there was a great discussion about the role of women.
For years Catholic women have been trying to establish equality and express their voice in the work of the Church. However, there is resistance to appointing women as communicants and priests.
Communicators can perform sermons, weddings, funerals and baptisms. But only the priests can conduct the worship service.
Ordaining women as communicants also allows them to be promoted to the priesthood, which some criticize as a violation of church doctrine that has been held for thousands of years.
Cardinal Gerhard Müller said, ‘It is not possible to ordain women as companions, presbyters, priests and bishops.
However, Jeppesen-Spahler, who works for the Swiss Catholic Relief Society, said the Vatican meeting revealed that the role of women in local churches must be greater and better recognized.
Women are already working in churches, hospitals, schools and charities. And in many countries they lead parishes and manage religious responsibilities in places where there are no priests.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who has been Pope Francis for 10 years now, has made many initiatives for women. He said that women should play a greater role in the church. In 2021 he changed some laws for women. He allowed women to read the Bible to serve to spread unity during worship.
And the Vatican has appointed women to its offices. He appointed Nathalie Péquart from France as one of the top officials of the council. But some opposed it.
While Pope Francis is trying to increase the role of women in churches despite some opposition, the next step in the Vatican meeting is for women to vote. The Catholic Council has said that 336-12 members are eligible.
