Sr Nathalie Becquart: "a sign of confidence for women in the Church"

By Vatican News staff reporter

Sr Nathalie Becquart, who was appointed by Pope Francis on Saturday as one of two Under-Secretaries to the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, has spoken of her delight, saying it is a call to “serve the Universal Church”.

The French woman religious also told Vatican News’ Marine Henriot, that she felt as if she is on the “edge of a new adventure with many things to discover”.

Describing her mission as Under-secretary, Sr Becquart said it was to be the assistant to the General Secretary, accompanying him in all his work. She went on to say that along with Fr Luis Marín de San Martín, they would be working together as part of a leadership team with the General Secretary, Cardinal Mario Grech.

The main job is “to help and lead the preparation of the Synod, then the celebration, then the next stage of the implementation", she said.

Asked what it was like to be the first woman to hold this position, Sr Nathalie said she saw it as a sign and she felt the appointment signified “confidence in women in the Church.”

She noted that during the last Synod, there were many requests for women to be given leadership positions.

Sr Nathalie also commented that she felt Pope Francis is listening and is giving a reply which is a step forward for a Church with “women and men together to serve the common good of the world."

Pope Francis has chosen “For a synodal Church: communion, participation, and mission” as the theme for the next Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 2022.