“Is it true that women are excluded from decision making in the Church? Well, they are not excluded, but women’s participation in decision-making is weak. We should try to move forward, with prudence, but seeking solutions”. Pope Francis said this during his meeting in the Paul VI Hall yesterday evening with over 800 women religious from across the world and the International Union of Superiors General. “We should move forward – reads the transcript of his speech, released today -, because many aspects of decision-making do not require ordination”. Citing from the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus, Pope Francis gave the example of the Dicastery for Migrants where “a woman could go. And when there is a requirement of jurisdiction – now that there is a Dicastery for Migrants -, it is the Prefect who shall give permission. But in ordinary life, a woman can contribute to the decision-making process and its implementation”. “For me, this is very important – the decision-making process”, the Pope explained. Women’s “contribution is important, not just to the implementation, but also to the decision making process, that is, consecrated and lay women alike should contribute to the discussion, to the reflection, in decision-making. Indeed, a woman sees life through her own eyes, and we, men, cannot have the same perspective. The way we men see a problem, the way we see everything, is different from that of a woman. Both perspectives should complement each other, which is why it is important for women to take part in consultations”. Then there is the issue of the sermon at the Eucharist. “There is no problem with a woman – either religious or lay – preaching during the Liturgy of the Word”, Pope Francis said. “However, in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, there is a dogmatic and liturgical problem, because the celebration is one – the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist are one thing – and He Who presides over it is Jesus Christ. The priest or the bishop who presides over it does it in the person of Jesus Christ. It is a liturgical and theological reality. In that situation, women cannot preside as there is no ordination for women”.