POPE APPOINTS A WOMAN
By Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale (Mzuzu Diocese – Malawi)
INTRODUCTION
“Fr. Petros, pope Francis has for the first time appointed a female Under-Secretary to the Synod of Bishops (Sister Nathalie Becquart) and will have voting rights in the synod. Sister Nathalie is not a bishop, how come she is in the synod of bishops” – Dr. Sunduzwayo Madise (lecturer and former Dean of Law, Chancellor College – Malawi).
RESPONSE
Dear Dr. Sunduzwayo, indeed, breaking with tradition and opening a new door in the synodal process, on Saturday 6 February 2021, Pope Francis appointed a woman, Nathalie Becquart, a member of the Xavière Sisters, Missionaries of Jesus Christ, in France, as one of two new undersecretaries of the Synod of Bishops. It is the first time a woman has held a position of this level within the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.
WHAT IS THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS?
The word synod, comes from two Greek words “syn” meaning together and “hodos” meaning road or way. It’s a meeting of bishops from all over the world to discuss doctrinal or pastoral matters (Canon 342). Synods offer suggestions to the pope, which may or may not become official teachings at a later time. Synod of bishops was established by Pope Paul VI, 15 September 1965.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE SYNOD?
According to the canonical norms governing synods of bishops, only clerics – that is deacon, priests, or bishops – can be voting members. Canon law specifies that the members of the Synod of Bishops are bishops, as well as “some members of clerical religious institutes,” that is priests from religious orders (Can 346 § 1). Despite the norm that reserves formal membership to clergy alone, two non-ordained religious brothers attended the 2018 Synod of Bishops, with the right to vote as full members. This raised questions in Rome about how such an exception was made, and whether it might also be made for religious sisters and other participating women.
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WHY A WOMAN?
Women, including religious and consecrated women, had an active role in the 2018 synod of bishops: they listened to the synod’s discussions, spoke on the floor of the synod hall, participated in small discussion groups of synod participants, and helped draft key synod texts. Nevertheless, they did not vote on the final text of the synod document, and this propelled some at the meeting to ask why not. With this appointment – based on art. 22, n.3 of the apostolic constitution “Episcopalis Communio,”promulgated by Pope Francis on 15 September 2018 – Sr Nathalie will have the right to vote in the synod.
Pope Francis’ nomination of Sister Nathalie to this position, therefore, is another affirmation of his determination to appoint women to senior positions in the Vatican that do not require priestly ordination. During the last synods numerous synodal fathers emphasised the need that the entire Church reflect on the place and role of women within the Church. It is something that has been requested for some time, including by several cardinals, bishops and other synod participants.
ROLE OF SISTER NATHALIE
As Under-secretary (working with and under the Secretary General) she will be working as the assistant to the General Secretary, accompanying him in all his work. Her main job will be: to help and lead the preparation of the Synod, then the celebration, then the next stage of implementation. Hence, working with and under the Secretary General Cardinal Mario Grech.
CONCLUSION
Pope Francis is listening and is giving a reply which is a step forward for a Church with: women and men together to serve the common good of the world.
Receive my Priestly Blessings from St. Cecilia Catholic Parish (Mzuzu Diocese – Mpherembe)
Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale – Feedback: +265884150185 (WhatsApp only)
SOURCES
Coriden, James A., Thomas J. Green. And Donald E. Heintschel. The Code of Canon Law: A text and Commentary. New York: Paulist Press, 1985.
Pope Francis’ Apostolic Constitution “Veritatis gaudium” on ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties, 2018
Fr. Daniel Chasowa Kamanga – JCL: PUSC-ROMA, 8 February 2021 (Interview).
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