Anglican woman bishop: Pope took ‘risk’ inviting her to address cardinal advisers

An Anglican woman bishop who addressed Pope Francis and his advisory Council of Cardinals says she believes the pontiff took a “risk” in extending her an invitation to speak to the group and hopes that the Catholic Church will continue to explore the topic of women’s leadership with “courage.”

“I’m aware — not least from various reactions in the aftermath — that to many such an opportunity feels rare, if not historic. I’m thankful for the privilege, and equally want to honor the risk Pope Francis surely took in welcoming it,” Bishop Jo Bailey Wells, deputy secretary-general of the Anglican Communion, said in an email interview with the National Catholic Reporter following her visit to Rome.

Wells was one of three women who on Feb. 5 met with the pope and what is often referred to as his “C9” group of nine cardinals that meets quarterly in Rome to advise Francis on church governance.

While the group has historically focused its meetings on the reform of the Vatican’s bureaucracy, during its last two meetings the body has discussed the role of women in the church.

“It suggests that he sees the value of ecumenical engagement not only for collaboration between churches but for listening and learning from each other,” Wells said of the pope’s decision to include both women and an Anglican for the first time ever at the usually all-male meeting.

According to Wells, Salesian Sr. Linda Pocher, a professor of Christology and Mariology at Rome’s Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences “Auxilium,” organized the session at the request of the pope.

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