Although the CIVCSVA has already boasted as Under-Secretary Sister Carmen Ros Nortes, one of the highest ranking female officials in the Vatican, the entry of the Superiors General is a novelty. Until now, in fact, the members of the Congregation were only male General Superiors of Institutes and Congregations.
The presence of women as members in the Vatican dicasteries is one of the signs that Pope Francis wants to give to entrust more responsibility to women in the Church. And to point out the fact that it is not just episodic, it is sufficient to recall that last May four other women had been appointed among the Consultors of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. Moreover, also in that case there had been the satisfaction of the Salesian Family for the appointment among the Consultors of Fr Rossano Sala, SDB, and of Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, FMA - which, just a few weeks before, in April, had been inserted also among the Councilors of the Vatican City State.
The CIVCSVA, led by the Brazilian cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, is composed of five offices and is responsible for promoting and regulating the forms of consecrated and monastic life in the Catholic Church.
