Pope Francis appoints first woman to Synod breaking Catholic tradition

VATICAN CITY: Breaking the catholic tradition, Pope Francis has appointed a 52-years-old Frenchwoman Nathalie Becquart as an undersecretary of the synod of bishops.

Sister Nathalie Becquart is the first woman to hold the position with voting rights in a body that studies major questions of doctrine.

Sister Becquart is one among the two new undersecretaries named on February 6 to the synod, where she has been a consultant since 2019.

Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary-general of the synod said that the appointment signals the desire of the Pontiff "to increase women's participation in the process of discernment and decision-making in the Church."

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He further stated that a door has opened with the appointment of Sister Nathalie Becquart and her possibility to engage in voting.

The number of women participating as experts and listeners has increased during previous synods, he added.

The synod is headed by bishops and cardinals who have the right to vote and also includes experts who cannot vote with the next gathering which is scheduled for autumn 2022.

Sister Nathalie Becquart, a member of the France-based Xaviere Sisters holds a master’s degree in management from the HEC business school in Paris and studied in Boston before joining the order.