The Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, Bishop Emeritus of Konongo-Mampong Diocese has stated that Pope Francis has been appointing Consecrated Women and other women to key positions in the Vatican as part of his broader vision to promote greater inclusivity and gender equity within the Catholic Church.
Answering a question posed to him on his Whatsapp page by Mr. Joshua Elikplim, he said “Pope Francis’ decision to appoint consecrated women and other women to key Vatican positions is a multi-faceted strategy aimed at promoting gender equity, making full use of women’s expertise, addressing institutional challenges, and responding to calls for reform.”
Below is the question and answer on the Bishop Osei-Bonsu’s WhatsApp Platform: Ask the Bishop
Question by Joshua Elikplim: My Lord Bishop, in recent months, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has been appointing women (Religious Nuns) to key offices in the Vatican that used to be occupied by Cardinals or Archbishops. Why this significant shift? Is it because the Pope can exercise discretion as to who he can appoint to a particular office without the person being a Cardinal or an Archbishop?
Answer by Bishop Joseph Osei-Bonsu:
Pope Francis has been appointing consecrated women and other women to key positions in the Vatican as part of his broader vision to promote greater inclusivity and gender equity within the Catholic Church. This move reflects his commitment to recognizing the leadership capabilities of women while respecting the Church’s theological and canonical boundaries.
It is in line with this that on 6 January 2025 the Pope appointed Sister Simona Brambilla the Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
Who is Sister Simona Brambilla and why has she been appointed to this position? She is an Italian nun and member of the Consolata Missionaries. Born on 27 March 1965 in Monza, Italy, Sister Brambilla initially trained as a nurse before joining the Consolata Missionaries in 1988.
She later earned a doctorate in psychology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, focusing on evangelization and inculturation in Mozambique. From 1999 to 2002, she served as a missionary in Mozambique, where she worked in youth ministry and gained valuable intercultural experience. She served as Superior General of the Consolata Missionaries from 2011 to 2023, leading the congregation through two six-year terms. During this time, she emphasized the importance of humility, intercultural dialogue, and renewal in consecrated life.
In October 2023, Sister Brambilla was appointed Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life, becoming the second woman to hold such a position in the Roman Curia.
Sister Brambilla has highlighted the need for renewal in consecrated life, emphasizing listening, collaboration, and the transformative power of intercultural encounters. She has argued for a greater recognition of the feminine dimension in the Church, aligning with Pope Francis’ call for a more inclusive and dialogical Church. Her leadership has been marked by a balance of pastoral care and administrative rigor, as seen in her oversight of sensitive matters such as the apostolic visitation of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and the closure of a Carmelite monastery in Texas.
Below are the key reasons and implications behind the trend of the Pope appointing consecrated women, like Sister Brambilla, and other women to key positions in the Vatican:
1. Promoting Gender Equity in Church Governance
Pope Francis has consistently emphasized the need for women to play more significant roles in the Church’s decision-making processes. It was in line with this mindset that the Pope appointed Sister Simona Brambilla the Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This marked a significant milestone in the Catholic Church’s efforts to include women in leadership roles. By appointing women like Sister Simona Brambilla as Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Pope is breaking centuries-old traditions of male-dominated leadership. Her appointment as Prefect in January 2025 made her the first woman to lead a Vatican dicastery. She works alongside Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, who serves as Pro-Prefect, ensuring that sacramental functions requiring ordination are maintained. While her role does not involve sacramental functions reserved for the priesthood, it underscores the importance of women’s contributions to governance and pastoral leadership. The percentage of women in Vatican leadership roles has risen from 19.3% in 2013 to 23.4% in 2025, reflecting a deliberate effort to include women in high-ranking positions.
2. Making Full Use of Women’s Expertise and Experience
Many of the women appointed, such as Sister Brambilla, bring extensive professional and pastoral experience. For example, Sr. Brambilla, as we have seen above, has a background in nursing, psychology, and missionary work in Mozambique, making her well-suited to oversee religious orders globally. Women like Sister Raffaella Petrini, the first female Secretary General of the Vatican City State, have demonstrated exceptional administrative and leadership skills, further justifying their appointments.
3. Addressing Declining Numbers in Religious Life
One of the challenges faced by the Church is the declining number of consecrated women and religious vocations. By appointing women to lead departments like the Dicastery for Consecrated Life, Pope Francis aims to better address these issues and provide a fresh perspective on revitalizing religious communities.
4. Symbolic and Practical Steps Towards Inclusion
These appointments are symbolic of a more inclusive Church, even as they address practical needs. For example, Sister Brambilla’s role as Prefect, alongside Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime as Pro-Prefect, ensures that sacramental functions requiring ordination are maintained, while allowing a woman to lead in governance.
In this connection, mention should be made of Praedicate Evangelium, the apostolic constitution issued by Pope Francis on 19 March 2022, which reforms the structure and functioning of the Roman Curia, the administrative body that assists the Pope in governing the Catholic Church. This constitution promotes greater involvement of laypeople, including women, in leadership roles within the Curia, provided they have the necessary competence and skills. This constitution thus paves the way for such appointments by the Pope.
5. Responding to Calls for Reform
Many Catholics, especially women, have long advocated that women be given a greater representation in Church leadership. By appointing women to key roles, Pope Francis is responding to these calls, while maintaining the Church’s doctrinal stance on the priesthood being reserved for men.
These appointments also align with the Pope’s emphasis on synodality, a process that encourages broader participation and dialogue within the Church.
6. Setting a Precedent for Future Leadership
These appointments are seen as a blueprint for future reforms. By demonstrating that women can effectively lead major Vatican offices, Pope Francis is challenging traditional norms and opening the door for more women to take on significant roles in the Church.
Conclusion
Pope Francis’ decision to appoint consecrated women and other women to key Vatican positions is a multi-faceted strategy aimed at promoting gender equity, making full use of women’s expertise, addressing institutional challenges, and responding to calls for reform. While these appointments do not alter the Church’s stance on female ordination, they represent a significant step towards a more inclusive and dynamic Church governance structure. This trend is likely to continue as the Church seeks to balance tradition with the evolving needs of its global community.
Sister Simona Brambilla’s historic appointment as Prefect of a Vatican dicastery is a testament to her leadership, expertise, and commitment to the Church’s mission. It also represents a significant step toward greater gender equity in the Church’s governance, aligning with Pope Francis’ vision of a more inclusive and synodal Church. Her work continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of women in the Church.
While her role does not involve sacramental functions reserved for the priesthood, it underscores the importance of women’s contributions to governance and pastoral leadership. Her appointment is also a result of the reforms outlined in the 2022 apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium, which allows laypeople, including women, to lead dicasteries.
For further explanations or enquiries, you may contact the author, Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, Emeritus Bishop of Konongo-Mampong, on this number: 0244488904, or on WhatsApp (with the same number).
Source: newswatchgh.com
