VATICAN CITY
IOL
March 8 2013
By Ella Ide
Vatican City –
As Roman Catholic cardinals prepare a secret conclave in the Vatican to choose a new pope, the only woman seen taking part in the preparations has been the seamstress sewing the ceremonial tablecloths.
The most important decision in the life of the Church is being taken with one half of the Catholic community either looking on or playing an auxiliary role as the male hierarchy deliberates.
“Not hearing the opinions of half of the world is like a slap in the face,” said Janice Sevre-Duszynska, who was excommunicated by the Vatican after her unofficial ordination as a female priest.
Speaking to AFP on the eve of International Women’s Day on Friday, the American said the idea that only men should decide on the next pope who will rule over both men and women was “a mockery”.
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