Your Eminence, what was your reaction to the Holy Father's appointment?
“Yesterday, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, following the celebration with the Holy Father in St. Peter's Basilica, I received the news at noon that the Pope has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (DIVCSVA). He has created this new service of Pro-Prefect which he clearly considers vital, asking me for this service.
I must say, of course, that over the last few months I had known the Holy Father’s intentions and I had given him my full availability with a sense of faith and obedience to the Pope as a Salesian of Don Bosco. I also wish to convey my heartfelt readiness to contribute following these years service in the Salesian Congregation, which have been of great spiritual and human richness for me.
I am happy about this service that they are asking of me, and I am fully available, just as I am entirely committed in my ecclesial service as a member of the College of Cardinals, to accompany and assist the Holy Father, and also from my pastoral service as a bishop, in the various needs of the Church”.
What do you think awaits you now in this new service entrusted to you by the Holy Father? How do you feel about collaborating under the leadership of a Sister after many years leading a male congregation?
“I have already met and spoken several times with the Prefect Emeritus, Card. João Braz de Aviz, and with the then Secretary, now Prefect of the Dicastery, Sister Simona Brambilla, always noting the excellent atmosphere of dialogue, understanding and shared vision. I am confident that the Holy Father has wisely structured the Dicastery in a way that is both rich and timely for our present time.”
What dreams and challenges do you foresee in your new assignment?
“Regarding dreams, hopes, plans, and perspectives, I still have much to learn about the Dicastery itself, although I am well-acquainted with the Salesian Congregation and consecrated life from my experience as a religious. One conviction stands firm: the Dicastery, with the collective expertise of the 32 individuals with whom I will collaborate, serves a significant purpose. From what I have observed and experienced, we will strive to illuminate the beauty of consecrated life and apostolic movements within the Church.
Through our humble service as Prefect, alongside my contribution and those of other dedicated individuals, the Dicastery will inspire, enlighten, and engage with Congregations and Institutes in meaningful ways. We will enthusiastically accompany the joys and challenges of Consecrated Life and Apostolic Movements.
As I often reminded Provincials during my tenure as Rector Major, 'Life is always richer and more expansive than the challenges we encounter daily. The Dicastery will be far more than a problem-solving office. And I used to say this in the knowledge that it is God who accompanies the Salesian Congregation, and I say this today knowing that it is God who accompanies the Church, led by the Holy Spirit through the Vicar of Christ, Pope Francis. It is this same Spirit that must direct all services and Dicasteries through the mediation of the people who are called to serve.”
Biography
Ángel Fernández Artime, 64, was born on August 21, 1960, in Gozón-Luanco, Asturias, Spain. A Salesian since 1978, he was ordained a priest on July 4, 1987, in León. He holds a degree in Pastoral Theology and a Licentiate in Philosophy and Pedagogy. In his home Province of León, Spain, he served as Youth Ministry Delegate, Director of the school in Ourense, member of the Provincial Council, and Vice-Provincial, and from 2000 to 2006, Provincial. In 2009, he was appointed Provincial of Argentina South.
In December 2013, he was nominated as Provincial of the Mary Help of Christians Province in Spain, a role he never assumed due to his election as Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation on March 25, 2014, during the 27th General Chapter.
He was re-elected at the 28th General Chapter in 2020. During his tenure he made numerous pastoral and animation visits to over 120 countries, delivering messages of hope and unity, as the tenth successor of Don Bosco. His extensive experience in guiding the Salesian Family, comprising 32 officially recognized groups, has strengthened bonds among its members and promoted the Congregation's educational and spiritual mission.
Over the years, as Rector Major, he received 23 honorary citizenships and an honorary doctorate in pedagogy from the University of Palermo.
He was appointed as cardinal by Pope Francis after the Angelus on Sunday, 9 July 2023, and received the cardinal's biretta and ring in the Ordinary Public Consistory on 30 September.
On December 17, 2023, Cardinal Fernández Artime took possession of the diaconate of Mary Help of Christians in Via Tuscolana, assigned by the Pope, and he was ordained bishop on April 20, 2024, in the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
On January 6, 2025, he was appointed Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (DIVCSVA).
