Fluoroscopy | Madam Prefect…

Never has a woman held such a high office in the Catholic Church. A major step forward… despite the downsides.

Why are we talking about it?

An important step has been taken at the Vatican. On Monday, January 6, Pope Francis appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as head of a dicastery of the Roman Curia. Never has a woman held such a high office in the Catholic Church.

A big job

In the “government” of the Catholic Church, a dicastery is the equivalent of a ministry. There are around fifteen, ranging from the Dicastery for communication to the Dicastery for bishops. Sister Brambilla, for her part, was named “prefect” (yes, in the masculine form) of the Dicastery for institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, in charge of religious orders, which is no small responsibility, given that these orders number some 600,000 nuns and 125,000 priests throughout the world.

“Important, significant”

This appointment does not resolve the issue of the ordination of women in the Church. But we can see it as a “positive” gesture in this direction, suggests Professor Marie-Andrée Roy, of the religious sciences department at UQAM. “It’s something significant, important,” she said.

M^me Roy notes that under Francis’ pontificate, the number of women working at the Vatican has increased markedly, including in leadership positions. According to statistics reported by Vatican News, the percentage increased from 19.3% in 2013 to 23.4% today. Furthermore, the appointment of a woman to the dignity of prefect would not have been possible before the papal reform of the founding constitution of the Holy See, which allows lay people – including women – to lead a dicastery since 2022.

“In a way, Pope Francis is trying to go as far as possible in the integration of women,” notes M.^me Roy. Some may see it as a revolution, but for others, it was the least they could do. The reading may vary depending on our posture. » According to her, Pope Francis tries as best as possible to meet expectations… as long as it does not touch on the issue of the ordination of women priests.

Behind the woman… a man

This “positive” gesture was not, however, unanimous, since a male “pro-prefect” was appointed alongside Ms.^me Brambilla (Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime), which for some attenuates the symbolic value of the papal gesture. Quoted by AFP, the president of the department of religion and philosophy at Manhattan University, Natalia Imperatori-Lee, finds it “ridiculous” that one could think that the new prefect needs help to run a dicastery of the Vatican. “One day, I pray that the Church will see women as the capable leaders that they already are,” she added.

A theological reason…

From a theological point of view, this double nomination is nevertheless explained. Francis would have considered it necessary, since the prefect must be able to celebrate Mass and perform other sacramental functions that cannot be performed by women. “The central question behind this appointment is not so much that Sister Brambilla is a woman as the fact that she is, from a canonical point of view, a lay person,” summarizes journalist Camille Dalmas, on the specialized site I.MEDIA.

…and diplomatic

Diplomatic interests are also at stake, explains Marie-Andrée Roy. By appointing a cardinal alongside sister Brambilla, Pope Francis is moving forward while keeping his back and calming possible reluctance. “It can appease either certain cardinals or certain major male superiors who do not see themselves answering for their actions towards a woman or negotiating with her for their statutes and regulations,” underlines M.^me Roy. When you are a Dominican or a Jesuit, you are not just anyone… For some, it can be a major culture shock. »

Who is she?

Simona Brambilla, 59, is a member of the religious order of the Missionaries of the Consolata and has held the position of number 2 in the department of religious orders since 2023. She succeeds Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, 77, who is retiring . Trained nurse, sister Brambilla worked as a missionary in Mozambique and was the superior of her Consolata order from 2011 until 2023, when Francis appointed her secretary of the department of religious orders. One of the main challenges she will face is the fall in the number of nuns worldwide, from around 750,000 in 2010 to 600,000 last year, according to Vatican statistics.

With Agence France-Presse