Salesian sister, in Dicastery for Bishops, talks about women in Church governance

Mother Reungoat’s work at the Vatican

Mother Yvonne Reungoat: Pope Francis did indeed surprise me by appointing me as a member of the Dicastery for Bishops! This mission consists of collaborating with the other members, the majority of whom are cardinals and a few bishops, in the process of discernment with Pope Francis for the appointment of bishops. This involves personally studying the files that are sent to the dicastery by the apostolic nuncios.

When a diocesan see becomes vacant, the nuncio carries out research on the diocese in question, including a survey of any available candidates [for bishop]. He puts together a file for our dicastery; we are then invited to study so that, after reflection and prayer, we can each give our opinion during plenary meetings with a view to making proposals to Pope Francis. Obviously, Pope Francis has the final say on the appointment of bishops, but it’s a work of preparation and discernment.

Synod responsibilities

Mother Reungoat: The request to be a facilitator at the Synod was indeed another surprise! I must say that I had some initial concerns, because I wondered how to facilitate this discernment in working groups divided by language, but in which different cultures were mixed. I facilitated French-language working groups with bishops and cardinals from different countries in Africa, Canada, Haiti, and France, thus covering very different realities.

The role of the facilitator was to encourage dialogue and exchange in the methodology of conversation in the Spirit, which I believe was key to the success of the atmosphere created during the Synod. It allowed each member to speak freely.

Each person was also able to be listened to, and to experience being decentered from their own thinking in order to allow themselves to be touched by the thoughts of the other members. The groups were thus able to work together on a reflection to be shared in a plenary assembly, with the conviction that this can make a contribution to the life of the Church at this time.

More women in Church governance

Mother Reungoat: The first thing I would say is that Pope Francis is consistent! He has repeatedly emphasized the importance of giving women responsibilities in the Church, according to their skills and the positions they can hold. And he’s taking action.

He’s making moves that I believe are decisive, and which are a sign of the real confidence he has in the people he chooses because they have the competence to fulfill the role entrusted to them.

I think that with Sister Simona Brambilla, there’s also a symbol: behind her, there are all the consecrated women. The vast majority of institutes of consecrated life are made up of female congregations: about 80%, I believe! Male congregations are also important, of course, but female congregations are predominant.

The fact of appointing a woman as head of this dicastery is a symbol for all women's congregations. The final document of the Synod states that there’s no reason not to give women responsibilities to which they can accede in the Church.

But it’s also a responsibility, for sisters as well as lay women, to make themselves competent so that they can make their contributions and collaborate in these positions of responsibility, and not withdraw when a proposal is made.

Her work in her own congregation

Mother Reungoat: We’re a congregation of around 11,000 sisters, dedicated to education in all its aspects: school, vocational training, leisure time, etc. I was a provincial, first in France, then I went to West Africa where I was in charge of a province covering six countries. And finally, I was a member of the general council of my congregation in Rome for 25 years, first as a general councillor and then as general superior for 13 years. I have lived a life open to the whole world!

Mother Reungoat: It’s certainly an important aspect. Many congregations work with particular attention to this dimension of the advancement of women, in its various aspects. We too, through education, are very careful to promote the education of girls because, in many countries, they still have little or no opportunity to attend school.

But I was very marked by life in Africa, where I discovered many human values. I must say that it had a big impact on me, transformed me even, for the rest of my life ... I was very happy in Africa.

The situation in Europe

Mother Reungoat: In France, it’s not a complete desert. There are vocations. But it’s true that when you look at the whole world, for us who are an international congregation, it’s good to see that there’s some fresh air coming in from certain countries. That gives me a lot of hope!

We’re present in 95 countries around the world, which I’ve had the opportunity to visit during my years as general councilor. Encounters with young people, in all contexts, are always opportunities for hope and openness.

Young people need to find adults at their side who appreciate them, who make them feel trusted, who listen to them. It’s very important. I always encourage increasing this presence among young people with the possibility of dialoguing and walking with them.