A thought struck me, are they anticipating the loss of many elders......what with all the CSA cases around the world, are they preparing to use all the elders associated with those cases as scapegoats?
In that case they would need to prepare for substitutes asap.
Interesting how the corp has found alternative beliefs around blood transfusions ie you can take fractions, and they have loosened the grip on personal dress and grooming, and how to treat the disfellowshipped, as per court instructions, but as regards women, they have NEVER EVER loosened their stance in any shape or form, despite the ARC practically demanding that they include women in their judicial committees as a kindness to the victims.
They were called cruel then, they are just as cruel now.