Pope Francis appoints historic XVI Synod Council, breaking barriers with women appointees

Pope Francis has appointed members to the XVI Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod, marking a historic milestone with the inclusion of two prominent women leaders, Sister Simona Brambilla and Dr. María Lía Zervino.

This groundbreaking shift, announced on December 13, 2024, reflects the Pope’s commitment to enhancing inclusivity and synodality in the Church, as appointees are no longer required to be bishops.

Sister Simona Brambilla, Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and Dr. María Lía Zervino, President of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations and a member of the Dicastery for Bishops, join 15 other distinguished members in the Council tasked with guiding the synodal journey.

The appointments, officially dated December 4, also include Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ, Archbishop of Luxembourg and General Relator for the Synod sessions in October 2023 and 2024, and Cardinal Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin, recently elevated to the cardinalate on December 7.

The XVI Ordinary Council comprises 17 members, 12 of whom were elected during the October 2024 Synod Assembly. Together, they are responsible for preparing and implementing the Ordinary General Assembly under the direct leadership of Pope Francis.

This Council represents the global Church’s diversity, featuring leaders from various dioceses, Eastern Catholic Churches, and lay organizations.

The inclusion of Sister Brambilla and Dr. Zervino signals a significant step towards a more participatory and inclusive Church, echoing the Pope’s vision for a synodal Church that listens and journeys together.

The Council will hold its inaugural meeting via videoconference on December 17 to continue advancing the synodal process and prepare for the next Synod.

Full Composition of the XVI Ordinary Council:

1. His Beatitude Youssef Absi – Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites

2. Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio – Archbishop of Bogotá (Colombia)

3. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline – Archbishop of Marseille (France)

4. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich – Archbishop of Luxembourg (Luxembourg)

5. Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga, C.S.Sp. – Archbishop of Bangui (Central African Republic)

6. Cardinal Roberto Repole – Archbishop of Turin (Italy)

7. Cardinal Filipe Neri António Sebastião Do Rosário Ferrão – Archbishop of Goa and Damão (India)

8. Archbishop Timothy John Costelloe, S.D.B. – Archbishop of Perth (Australia)

9. Bishop Daniel Ernest Flores – Bishop of Brownsville (United States)

10. Bishop Alain Faubert – Bishop of Valleyfield (Canada)

11. Archbishop José Luis Azuaje Ayala – Archbishop of Maracaibo (Venezuela)

12. Archbishop Gintaras Grušas – Archbishop of Vilnius (Lithuania)

13. Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea – Archbishop of Bamenda (Cameroon)

14. Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David – Bishop of Kalookan (Philippines)

15. Sister Simona Brambilla, M.C. – Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (Italy)

16. Dr. María Lía Zervino – Member of the Dicastery for Bishops (Argentina)