Pope Francis extends voting rights to women at meeting of bishops

By Angela Jia ’25

On April 26 Pope Francis allowed women and lay members the right to vote at an upcoming meeting of bishops, one that he says is a central deliberative body that can shape the future of the church.

Following years of requests from women to have the right to vote, he has approved the changes governing the Synod of Bishops, which allows women more decision making capabilities within the Catholic Church, something that has long been exclusive to clerics, bishops, and cardinals, all of whom are male.

Under this new change, five religious sisters will join five priests as representatives for various religious orders. Pope Francis has also decided to appoint 70 non-bishop members of the synod and has requested half of them be women.

Although it’s a significant step for women rights in the Church, women will still only comprise 10 percent of all voters in the upcoming October meeting.

Catholic women’s groups, who for years have criticized the Vatican for its lack of representation of women in the higher ranks, immediately praised the decision.

“This is a significant crack in the stained glass ceiling, and the result of sustained advocacy, activism and…witness,” said Kate McElwee from the Women’s Ordination Conference, referring to a campaign of Catholic women’s groups demanding the right to vote.

Talisha Flores ’24, who goes to St. Charles Borromeo Parish Church, is supportive of the decision.

“I believe it’s a step in the right direction as the world takes notice of the capabilities of women, even taking place in the religious faith,” she said. “Hopefully we see more advancements towards women’s involvement in the faith.”

“It’s an important change,” Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, a top organizer of the meeting of bishops, said. “But not a revolution.”

Furthermore, while some see the move as a sign that the Pope may be open to female priests in the future, the Pope has not indicated this is a possibility.

Joshua Keeney, religion teacher, echoed that sentiment.

“Some may believe that Pope Francis has opened the door or has begun to pave the way for women priests; this, however, is not so,” Keeney said.

He added, “Pope Francis always keeps in mind the history and context of the Church and the teaching and precedence set down by previous popes, namely Pope St. John Paul II.” futures, students able to complete their degree requirements or are currently involved in the HNU nursing program will be able to graduate this spring.

All those who haven’t reached their requirements are welcomed to Dominican University of California, where they can seamlessly transition into the San Rafael campus. Dominican University of California plans to have staff from Holy Names on their staff.

Other programs, including the Kodály music program and Raskob Learning Institute and Day School, are looking to plan a partnership with another institution or function by themselves.

With another Catholic institution shutting down, many students and staff alike are incredibly disappointed. “I’m very sad to hear of a prominent Catholic college closing. It shows the decreasing desire for Catholic higher education,” Alexandre Fonseca ’25 said.

Joshua Keeney, Religion instructor, stated, “I am disheartened to see so many Catholic schools close in the Bay Area because they have been beacons of elevated education and bastions of the Catholic faith since their inauguration in the 19th Century.”

The last HNU commencement is scheduled for May 13 for both graduate and undergraduate students, with the ceremony ending the school’s concluding year.