"Authenticum charismatis" and institutes of consecrated life"Consecrated life cannot fall into a false theology of merit."Nadia CoppaWe must reflect on the new way of presenting the consecrated life of women".The Holy Father Francis has taken a historic step with the appointment of Sister Simona Brambilla, M.C., as Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This appointment marks the first time a woman has held this significant position in the Vatican.
Profile of Simona Brambilla
Simona Brambilla, 58 years old, is a nurse, psychologist and a member of the Consolata Missionary Sisters. Previously she was Superior General of her congregation and played an outstanding role as an evangelizer "ad gentes", with missionary experience in Mozambique. She has also been a professor at the Institute of Psychology of the Pontifical Gregorian University.
In her previous role as Secretary of the Dicastery, Suora Brambilla has demonstrated great commitment to consecrated and apostolic life, working closely with religious communities around the world. Her appointment underscores the growing importance of women's leadership within the Church.
Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime, Pro-Prefect
In the same press release, Pope Francis has appointed Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, S.D.B. as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery. As former Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Cardinal Artime brings vast experience in pastoral and administrative leadership in the service of consecrated life.
Fernández Artime was born in 1960 in Asturias, Spain. He made his first profession in 1978, his perpetual vows in 1984 and was ordained priest in 1987. He has a degree in Pastoral Theology, Philosophy and Pedagogy. In his first years of pastoral service he was Delegate of Youth Ministry and director of a school in Ourense. In 2009 he became Superior of the Province of Argentina South, based in Buenos Aires, where he worked closely with the then Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis.
He was appointed Superior of the Province of Spain Mediterranean in 2013, but in 2014 he was elected Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation and X Successor of Don Bosco. In 2020 he was confirmed for a second term as Rector Major for the period 2020-2026, but recently the Pope asked him to leave that position to work in the Vatican Curia, where he has just been appointed Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
A step towards synodality
This dual appointment aligns with Pope Francis' vision of promoting a synodal spirit within the Church, where religious men and women and lay people play fundamental roles in the Dicasteries.
Brambilla and Cardinal Fernandez Artime face the challenge of continuing to strengthen the role of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life as engines of evangelization and witness in the world.
