VATICAN CITY
Sky News
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.
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’.
Sevre-Duszynska was quickly detained by police for demonstrating at the Vatican in her ceremonial robes, with police saying they wanted to check that she had the ‘right to wear those vestments’.
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