Pope allows women to vote at upcoming bishops’ meeting
Los Angeles TimesApr 27, 2023
Pope Francis has approved historic changes to the norms governing the Synod of Bishops. This will see women given the right to vote at the next scheduled bishops' meeting for the first time in October this year.
The Synod, which is the papal advisory body, announced on Wednesday that the new rules will permit five religious sisters voting rights, although men will still cast the majority of the votes. In previous meetings, women were only allowed to attend as observers.
The decision reflects the Pope's hope to allow women a greater say in the activities of the Catholic Church. While there is some unease concerning Francis' desire for inclusivity, change is normal in life and in history. Pope Francis has taken the step of doing more than any other predecessor to give women a greater say in the church's decision-making.
Pope Francis' decisions are dangerous, attempting to transform the church into a secular democracy. Power is being snatched away from bishops and the changes are in no way rooted in scripture and tradition. Pope Francis is up to his old tricks again, and there are echoes of liberal socialism in moves like this.
There is a 50% chance that the Roman Catholic Church will permit the ordination of female clergy by January 2100, according to the Metaculus prediction community.