Home » The first female prefect illustrates Pope Francis’ quest for centralized power. Here’s how

The first female prefect illustrates Pope Francis’ quest for centralized power. Here’s how

The real novelty is this: Pope Francis is pursuing a strong policy of centralizing the governance of the Church. While in the classical vision of governance subsidiarity prevails, in Francis’ vision of governance everything must be under the direct control of the Pontiff.

(LifeSiteNews) — The recent appointment of Sister Simona Brambilla as Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, announced by Pope Francis on January 6, 2025, is yet another controversial decision of this pontificate. It is an appointment that has left many observers puzzled for reasons worth examining closely.

First,itisimportanttounderlinethatSisterBrambilladoesnothavetheappropriatequalificationsforsuchanimportantposition.Atrainednursewithadoctorateinpsychology,thenewprefecthasnospecifictrainingincanonlawortheology,fundamentalskillsforleadingadicasterythatdealswitherectinginstitutesofconsecratedlife,grantingthemlicenses,merging,unitingorsuppressingthem,approvingorregulatingconstitutions,andensuringfidelitytotheChurch’smission.Meanwhile,SisterBram