At a forthcoming gathering of Catholic bishops in October, Pope Francis will grant women the right to join and cast a ballot for the first time.
Ordinarily, only bishops are permitted to cast ballots at the synodal gathering.
On Wednesday, Pope Francis approved regulations that will allow women and laypeople to participate in politics.
The Vatican’s synod office stated that 50% of the 70 non-bishop members who can participate under the amendments should be women.
A synod is a meeting of bishops called at the pope’s request to debate a particular subject. It is a consultative council that makes recommendations to the pope; it lacks the power to impose rules or alter church doctrine.
At a forthcoming gathering of Catholic bishops in October, Pope Francis will grant women the right to join and cast a ballot for the first time.
Ordinarily, only bishops are permitted to cast ballots at the synodal gathering.
On Wednesday, Pope Francis approved regulations that will allow women and laypeople to participate in politics.
The Vatican’s synod office stated that 50% of the 70 non-bishop members who can participate under the amendments should be women.
A synod is a meeting of bishops called at the pope’s request to debate a particular subject. It is a consultative council that makes recommendations to the pope; it lacks the power to impose rules or alter church doctrine.