Pope Francis has appointed an Italian Nun as the prefect of the department in charge of all the Catholic Church’s religious orders, making her the first woman in Catholic history to hold a senior Vatican position.
Pope Francis’ goal of giving women more leadership roles in church governance has taken a significant stride with the appointment of Sister Simona Brambilla.
A woman has never before been appointed prefect of a dicastery or congregation of the Holy See Curia, the main body that governs the Catholic Church, but women have been placed second in certain Vatican positions.
Vatican Media stated that Brambilla’s appointment was historic, stating in the title, “Sister Simona Brambilla is the first woman prefect in the Vatican”.
Pope Francis concurrently appointed Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime, a Salesian, as a co-leader, or “pro-prefect,” demonstrating the newness of the post and its theological ramifications.
However, in the Vatican daily bulletin, Sister Brambilla is listed as the “prefect” and Cardinal Fernandez as her co-leader.
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This is theologically required because the prefect must be able to celebrate Mass and carry out other sacramental duties that are currently limited to men.
One of the most significant positions in the Vatican is the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. It is in charge of all religious orders, including the Franciscans, Jesuits, and smaller, more recent groups.
59-year-old Sister Brambilla has been the second in command of the religious order department since last year. She is a member of the Consolata Missionaries religious order. She succeeds the 77-year-old Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, who is retiring.
Best wishes, Sister Simona Brambilla!
With this appointment, women’s leadership in the Catholic Church has advanced significantly.