Article published by Global Sisters Report

(...) Sr. Patricia Murray, executive secretary of the main umbrella group of women's religious orders, provided an update on the status of discussions halfway through the Vatican's nearly month-long synod, or meeting.

Murray is one of the 54 women granted the right to vote for the first time at a synod. She was also elected to the commission that will draft the synthesis document at the end of the meeting, another first for a woman. That document will provide the basis for reflection when a second session is convened next year.

Murray, who heads the International Union of Superiors General, told a Vatican briefing that her election to the drafting commission was symbolically important and evidence that women's voices are being heard and considered at the meeting.

"Appointments such as these are symbolic. They're a statement, and an indication of the desire to have women's participation in decision making," she said. Even though women are still in the minority among the 365 voting members, "as women, we're well able to make our point and to use our time and space well."