A Pro-Prefect as a Prosthesis
On January 6, 2025, for the first time in the history of the Church, the Pope has appointed a religious sister, Sr. Simona Brambilla, as a Prefect. In this case, she is Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The following is a reflection by Fr. Alain Lorans, SSPX.
At the same time, Francis appointed a Pro-prefect for this dicastery, Cardinal Angel Fernández Artime. Again, this was unusual, because until now there had only been a Pro-prefect for the dicasteries over which the Pope himself presided, such as the Holy Office – in the past – or the Dicastery for Evangelization, today.
Why a “Prefect”? Because in 2022, Francis promulgated Prædicate Evangelium, a new constitution of the Roman Curia that modifies its structures and mode of government. This document states that “any faithful may preside over a dicastery or office,” thus opening the way for lay men and women to join the highest levels of the Holy See’s administration.
Why a cardinal pro-prefect alongside the “prefect” of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life? Because this dicastery is responsible for religious institutes of pontifical right, the suppression or merger of religious institutes, and also the reduction of religious to the lay state for disciplinary reasons.
There is no need to be a great scholar to understand that Sr. Brambilla does not have the canonical authority to take such measures. Even the new Canon Law states the following: “Those who are invested with sacred orders, in accordance with the provisions of the law, are qualified for the power of government, which belongs properly to the Church by divine institution and which is also called the power of jurisdiction.”
This is where the pro-prefect enters the scene. Let there be no mistake. Cardinal Artime is not a purely decorative prince consort: he is the indispensable crutch of a canonically shaky “prefect.”
His appointment will allow him to play the role of canonical executor, by signing – by right – certain acts of government with Sr. Brambilla in order to circumvent legitimate doubts about acts carried out by a sister who, in fact, is not vested with sacred orders.
Theologians and canonists will assess the seriousness of this disastrous reform. In the meantime, in the eyes of ordinary mortals, Sr. Brambilla will decide and Cardinal Artime will canonically endorse. She will govern; he will execute.
This is the utopian “inverted pyramid” desired by Francis: the base in command, and the hierarchy at its service. This is not a reform. It is a total subversion, carried out by miserable canonical "circumventions" that fool no one.
(Source : Dici n°452 – FSSPX.Actualités)
Illustration : Dicastère pour les instituts de vie consacrée et les Sociétés de vie apostolique
