Pope Francis names Sister Simona Brambilla prefect, a first for the Vatican

RELIGION – Small revolution in the Vatican. Sister Simona Brambilla was appointed prefect of the dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life by Pope Francis this Monday, January 6. This is the first time that a woman has been appointed to such a high position.

The announcement was made in a bubble published on the Vatican website. Simona Brambilla will be assisted by the Spanish Cardinal Angel Fernández Artime, it is specified in this press release. However, the distribution of tasks between the two officials is not explained.

As the daily explains The Cross, a dicastery is the equivalent of a ministry. “She has authority over a cardinal, that has never happened in the Church,” told the newspaper Michel Kubler, general secretary of the Augustinians of the Assumption.

A feminization driven by François

The 59-year-old nun succeeds Brazilian Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, who had been in office since 2011. Simona Brambilla, born in Italy and holder of a degree in psychology, is a former nurse. She was superior general of the Missionaries of Consolation, a female religious congregation located in Italy, specifies The Cross. Before being named prefect, she was already number 2 in this dicastery since 2023.

The newspaper specifies that the dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life supervises orders, religious congregations, and societies of apostolic life (whose members do not take religious vows) throughout the world.

Pope Francis wanted his pontificate to be marked by the greater presence of women in key positions. In 2022, a new apostolic constitution “Preach the Gospel” had been promulgated. In particular, it authorizes “any faithful (to) lead a dicastery or an organization”, whether it is a man or a woman.

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