A high-profile French nun is inspiring hope for Catholic women. But can she really bring change?

VATICAN CITY — In her years running Catholic youth programs in France, Sister Nathalie Becquart often invoked her own experience as a seasoned sailor in urging young people to weather the storms of their lives. “It’s about how could we be men and women together in this society, in this church, with this vision of equality, of dignity, reciprocity, collaboration, partnership.” For a 2,000-year-old institution that by its very doctrine bars women from its highest ranks, Francis’ synodal process has sparked unusual optimism among women who have long felt they were second-class citizens in the church. “If there is no resistance, that means nothing is happening or nothing is changing.” But she also puts it in perspective: “If you look at all the history of the reform of the church, where you have the strongest resistance or debated points, it’s really usually a very important point.” Francis, the 86-year-old Argentine Jesuit, has already done more than any modern pope to promote women by changing church law to allow them to read Scripture and serve on the altar as eucharistic ministers, even while reaffirming they cannot be ordained as priests. From them and her grandmother, who was widowed while pregnant with her fourth child, Becquart says she learned that women “carry on this message that life is stronger than death, and that even in the greatest difficulties, crises and sufferings, there is a possible path, especially when you are not alone.” It’s a lesson she applies when sailing and leading spiritual retreats at sea. Jean-Marie Guenois, chief religious affairs correspondent for Le Figaro, who has known Becquart for years, says her role at the Vatican and in the synod process would be revolutionary “if it marked a paradigm shift in the Catholic Church where women would achieve parity of power in government.” “We’re a long way from that,” he said, while nevertheless calling Becquart’s position “simply prophetic.” “Prophets are often discreet but firm, opposed but determined to move forward,” said Guenois, author of the forthcoming book “Pope Francis: The Revolution.” “The patriarchal culture of the Catholic Church is explained by theological and historical reasons that go back thousands of years,” he said.