Quite right! Though I could quibble and point out that women are not technically a minority, point well taken. This world leader, btw, and the German bishops with the synodal process are working every bit as hard to see women admitted to the priesthood and give women an equal say in the administration of the Church. In fact, the bishop I wrote about has gone on the record to say that women are the only people who can save the Church from irrelevance, and only if they take up reigns of leadership.

Francis has appointed two women to semi-powerful positions in the Curia but without the clerical rank they need to stand up against the cardinals who are their colleagues. Many people thought Francis would take the first steps to admitting women to the clergy after the 2020 Amazon synod by allowing them to be ordained as deacons. He surprised pretty much everyone by turning down the synod’s recommendation in that arena.

He punted, calling for a commission to study the issue further, despite that women deacons are barely theologically controversial. Again, it’s beyond me why mainstream press continue to report that he is progressive.