POPE Francis announced the appointment of three women to the Vatican committee that assists in the selection of bishops.
Franciscan Sister Raffaella Petrini, Salesian Sister Yvonne Reungoat and Maria Lia Zervino became the first women to be named members of the dicastery.
Previously, members have always been cardinals and bishops.
The historical appointment follows the Pope’s recent interview with Reuters where he discussed elevating the role of women in the Church.
Sr Petrini currently holds the position of secretary-general of the office governing Vatican City State. Sr Reungoat is the president of the Union of Major Superiors of Italy, while Ms Zervino acts as president of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations.
The three women would join the existing members and meet twice a month to review the submissions for potential bishop candidates and vote on the names they recommend to the pope.
The other new members of the dicastery include: Cardinals Anders Arborelius of Stockholm; Jose Advincula of Manila, Philippines; José Tolentino de Mendonca, Vatican archivist; and Mario Grech, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops.
