Italian, who is 59 years old, assumes leadership of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, responsible for supervising religious orders.
The Pope made history by naming Sister Simona Bramblia as the first woman to lead a Vatican dicastery, marking an important advance for the female presence in the Catholic Church. Since 2022, women have been able to occupy these positions, although to date they have been limited to secondary or temporary roles. Bramblia, who is 59 years old and from Italy, assumes leadership of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, responsible for supervising religious orders.
Despite this achievement, the appointment of a deputy, the man Ángel Fernández Artime, indicates that the power structure is still predominantly male, especially in functions related to the sacraments. Graduated in nursing, the new leader has already been part of the department since 2019 and has experience as a missionary in Mozambique. During Francis’ papacy, the proportion of women working at the Vatican increased, from 19.3% in 2013 to 23.4% in 2023.
However, critics point out that these changes are still not enough and that women continue to occupy positions of lesser importance in the Church hierarchy. Bramblia’s appointment is seen as a symbolic step, but the fight for gender equality within the Catholic Church still faces significant challenges.
*Report produced with the help of AI
Published by Fernando Dias
