Pope Leo Appoints Supporters of Female Ordination as Vatican Advisors
Among the new Vatican advisors are supporters of female ordination, the expansion of women's roles in the Church, and a more liberal approach to LGBT issues.
On August 6, 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed 15 new consultors to the Vatican dicastery responsible for matters concerning religious orders and other forms of consecrated life, reports LifeSiteNews.
The body in question is the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Among the new consultors, the publication highlights Sister Patricia Murray, who has previously stated that the synodal process must include discussion of the female diaconate and the ordination of women to the priesthood.
Murray has also spoken on LGBT issues. During the 2023 Synod, she spoke of the «pain and suffering» of LGBT community members and the need to discuss how the Catholic Church should respond to such appeals.
Also included among the consultors is Indian nun Maria Nirmalini, who has previously called for liturgical reform with less emphasis on uniformity and greater emphasis on «creativity.» She has also advocated for expanding the role of women in Church life and urged them to «demand equality.» Another newly appointed consultor is Brother Emili Turú Rofes, a proponent of further «synodal transformation» and changes to traditional forms of Church governance.
In total, Pope Leo XIV appointed two bishops, five priests, two monks, and six nuns. The dicastery is headed by Sister Simona Brambilla, appointed as its prefect under Pope Francis in January 2025.
The Union of Orthodox Journalists previously reported that the Vatican excommunicated six bishops.
