Let's hope new pope will not look upon 'gender' as a bad word

May people of all genders be given their rights and place in the community of God's people

- BY VIRGINIA SALDANHA

(UCAN) Women occupy top positions in every walk of secular life in the 21st century, hence, it is disheartening to see that the Catholic Church chooses to remain entrenched in patriarchy by marginalizing the role of women in Church Ministry.

Yes, Pope Francis did appoint some women to high positions in the Vatican Dicasteries and governing bodies. But did India/Asia follow his example?

On the contrary, the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences has moved backward.

The Office of Laity, Family and Women has disappeared, and so has the AsIPA Desk, which was established to implement the vision of the Asian bishops articulated in 1990 in Bandung, Indonesia. A vision that would help the Asian Church become synodal, as it promoted the participation of all. Women were actively involved in these offices.

Soon, the conclave will convene at the Vatican, and 133 Cardinals, who are all men, will gather to elect a new pope.

One of the last appointments of Pope Francis was that of Sister Simona Brambilla, MC, as Prefect of the Dicastery of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Institutes of Apostolic Life. She is said to have received an invitation to the conclave by mistake! Why was it a mistake? As a prefect, was it not her right to be at the conclave? Sadly, Pope Francis failed to make her a cardinal!