To break the “glass ceiling” in Vatican City, Pope Francis proposed increasing the number of women in positions of responsibility, but his reforms clash with the mindset of an intrinsically patriarchal system.
The female figure is not the one that stands out most among the heterogeneous uniforms of the Swiss Guard and the rows of cardinals in St. Peter’s Square. However, more and more women are working in the administration of the church government.
In 2019, the Roman Curia had 649 women in the world’s smallest state, 24% of its total membership. In 2010, according to the latest available data, there were only 385.
The increased presence of women has been praised, but a dozen female workers interviewed by AFP lamented – on the condition of anonymity – the condescending and negative attitudes they face, especially among clergy. “There is still a long way to go”emphasizes one of them, who has been working at the Holy See for 10 years.
Another denounces a “glass ceiling and global condescension in the corridors”, with an old-fashioned vision of “the sensitive, sweet woman we see in the Pope’s speeches”. “Sometimes we feel like we are interns. It’s small gestures, a hand on the shoulder, a lack of attention, almost daily comments about the body or the outfit”he adds.
Other women, sometimes mothers, lament being relegated to secondary roles, also denouncing an implicit mandate of silence and docility.
“macho mentality”
To increase visibility, women joined forces with the foundation in 2016 of the association Donne in the Vatican [Mulheres no Vaticano, em italiano]. The members, nearly 100, meet monthly.
“The goal is to create an exchange network and appreciate the leading role of women”explains the president, Margherita Romanelli, to AFP.
The creation, in 2012, of the women’s supplement of the Osservatore Romano – the Vatican’s official newspaper – was the first step.
But it didn’t last long. In 2019, founder Lucetta Scaraffia left the project, after denouncing a “climate of distrust”. Lucetta argues that the Pope’s reforms are essentially “cosmetic” and in fact hide a “macho mentality” according to which “women should serve without asking for anything in return”.
The president of the association denounces the “modern slavery” suffered by religious in the Vatican and elsewhere led by priests, bishops or cardinals: many have to “cook, clean and wash clothes”. It also condemns the sexual violence of religious women in Rome and around the world, which often ends in abortions.
Step-by-step
Despite the criticism, a broad sector welcomes the increasing presence of women in church structures, with more and more lay women being assigned to specific tasks.
Since the election of Pope Francis 10 years ago, the number of women in positions of responsibility has tripled. In 2021, Sister Alessandra Smerilli became the first woman to hold the position of secretary (number 2) of a dicastery, equivalent to a ministry. Barbara Jattaé, another example, was the first director of the prestigious museums of the Holy See.
The Argentine pope is moving forward step by step. Women can participate in the appointment of bishops and the secularization of “ministerial” positions opens up new prospects for them.
“10 years ago it would not have been possible to imagine an evolution of this magnitude”points to Gudrun Sailer, an Austrian journalist for the Vatican News, who wrote the book women in vatican.
“The Vatican is 30 to 40 years behind schedule, but today women have a voice, they will not be humiliated”adds a 40-year-old secular employee.
In a city-state that enforces strict pay equality, the chief of more than 1.3 billion Catholics has also introduced symbolic measures, such as allowing women to participate in the foot-washing ceremony or read the Gospel at mass.
“Changing Thoughts”
There is a discrepancy between these reforms and the persistence of misogynistic behavior. Some women wonder what position to take.
“Some feel it is necessary to speak the truth and expose behavior, others feel it is counterproductive and it is necessary to settle for small claims”says one of them.
“Changing mindsets is a long process”recalls Romilda Ferrauto, member of the Donne In Vaticano. “Francis’ method consists of making gestures and waiting for the foundations to move”he says.
The debate is not limited to the borders of Vatican City, but unites voices against the systemic patriarchy of the Roman Catholic Church.
For several months now, the institution has been immersed in broad global consultations about its future. The difficulties faced by women in the Vatican are also a reflection of a church that still prohibits divorce, abortion and the ordination of women, while defending the celibacy of priests tooth and nail.
long before the wave #Me, toothe Protestant churches took the lead and appointed women to the top of their bodies.
For French theologian Anne-Marie Pelletier, the movement is “irreversible and fortunate”, but there is still a lack of decisive decisions, such as the ordination of deaconesses or even the authorization for women to become cardinals. “It would be a strong symbolic gesture to erase these stereotypes”he says.
Source: DN
