On Wednesday, Pope Francis appointed three women to the Dicastery of Bishops, the Vatican office in charge of vetting potential candidates for the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.
The two religious sisters and one consecrated virgin are the dicastery’s first female members.
Since November 2021, Franciscan Sister Raffaella Petrini has served as secretary general of the Vatican governorate, the second-highest post in the administration of the Vatican City State.
The superior general of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, a branch of the Salesians, is Sister Yvonne Reungoat. One of the first seven women to be nominated to the Vatican department for religious orders was a French sister in 2019.
The president of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations is Maria Lia Zervino, a servant of the Association of Consecrated Virgins. The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue employs her as a consultant.
On July 13, Pope Francis appointed two archbishops, four cardinals-elect, and four active cardinals to the dicastery.
Donato Ogliari, a Benedictine Abbot, was also appointed to the Dicastery for Bishops after serving for eight years as the Abbot of the Abbey of Montecassino until being recently designated the Abbot of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
Bishop selection for the dioceses is assisted by the dicastery members. They review ponenze, or position papers, and offer an assessment of candidates.
The pope has the last say in choosing bishops, and he is allowed to choose anybody he wants. The apostolic nuncio, who represents the pope in a nation, typically transmits advice and supporting evidence to the Vatican. After additional discussion and voting, the Dicastery of Bishops approves the nomination. The pope takes the ultimate decision after receiving the suggestions.
In accordance with the new constitution that serves as the foundation for Pope Francis’ reform of the Vatican, the Congregation of Bishops, a division of the Roman Curia, has changed its name to the Dicastery for Bishops.