Synodalist sister praises Pope's ecclesiastical vandalism

Sister Alessandra Smerilli: “Pope Francis smashes windows”

Sister Alessandra Smerilli is the most powerful woman in the Vatican. She encourages women not to hide. Nevertheless, women in the priesthood are currently maintaining the clericalism criticized by Pope Francis. An interview about the economy, change in the church and women in leadership positions.

The synod is currently taking place in Rome. How do you look at this?

Alessandra Smerilli*: With a lot of hope. I believe that the Synod can be an experience of Christian hope. I also hope that it will be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can be transformed into what Jesus Christ demands of the Church and of all the people of God today.

“Now he’s on the world stage.”

What hopes and expectations do you have for the Synod?

Smerilli: It won't just be the meeting. The Synod is a journey of the Church. The synodal process began at the local level. Now he is on the world stage. After that it will continue. I hope that the Synod will be a real moment of discernment.

How does this show up?

Smerilli: The difference is that people can go in with ideas and come out with different ideas. If it is a time of discernment, then everything that comes out of it is a way and a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

What are your fears?

Smerilli: That the different positions do not communicate well enough with each other.

Do you think the synod will bring structural changes in the Catholic Church?

Smerilli: Change happens when there is a critical mass of people who want that change. So if the synod succeeds in putting us on this path of conversion, it can, as Pope Francis says, begin a process that can lead to change.

“I’m happy that I can make a contribution here.”

You were a participant in the Youth Synod in 2018. What has changed?

Smerilli: More women are invited to the current synod assembly than to other synods. Women are not only listeners, but also express their opinions. There was already a demand for more equality at the Youth Synod - and now again. That's good.

You are number two in the Dicastery for service to the holistic development of man. How is that for you?

Smerilli: It's very nice, very fascinating and also very demanding, because there is freedom of action and at the same time there is a lot of work in our department and therefore it is also necessary to work well with everyone else. I am pleased that I can make a contribution here.

You are the highest woman in the Vatican. What message would you like to give to other women?

Smerilli: Everything or almost everything is possible. Women should never be discouraged. In addition, women do not have to hide their own abilities. Women sometimes hide a bit. But the church needs the talents of women.

As one of the few women in leading positions in the Vatican, you are certainly a projection surface.

Smerilli: I am very visible in the Vatican - precisely because there are currently so few women in important decision-making positions. But I am sure that it is not impossible that many other women will work in such positions in the future.

“But at the same time we see that our work to accompany the local churches gives hope.”

You have been a Curia employee for two years. Have you secretly dreamed of such a position?

Smerilli: I previously worked as an economist and was not interested in working at the Vatican. I couldn't have imagined it either. But then I received a call from Pope Francis. It was then clear to me that I couldn't refuse. That I have an obligation to the church, to people.

You work in the development dicastery. What exactly are your tasks?

Smerilli: Our dicastery has a broad mission. Our task is to be in dialogue with the local churches and the various officials who promote development within the scope of their work. We are looking for answers to the challenges. In doing so, we fall back on the social honor of the church. Our goal is for people or communities to develop well. We always feel like we're not doing enough. But at the same time we see that our work to accompany the local churches gives hope.

Pope Francis published “Laudate Deum” on October 4th. Are you happy about it?

Smerilli: The urgency to protect our planet still exists. I am therefore pleased that Pope Francis is once again placing this topic at the center of his proclamation.

Is “Laudate Deum” needed?

Smerilli: There are many efforts on the part of the church - and also societies and politics - for a real ecological conversion. But there is still a lot to do. The papal exhortation that has now been published aims to be a new beginning of our path by highlighting everything that has changed since 2015. That's why I think we need this writing, especially to reinvigorate the path we are on.

“The words of Pope Francis are therefore truer than ever.”

You were an economics professor and are an expert in this field. What do you think of Pope Francis’ statement “Economy kills”?

Smerilli: I think that in recent years we have seen that the current economic system creates exclusion. Inequalities in the world are increasing at all levels. Pope Francis’ words are therefore truer than ever. This does not mean that we reject the economy or the markets, but that we want to return the markets and the economy to their original purpose.

And that would be?

Smerilli: An economy that only focuses on profit is a problem. Because then it comes at the expense of so many dimensions and so many needs of people, especially the most vulnerable. Just think about the health sector. If profit sets the tone there, there will no longer be research into drugs for diseases that are not profitable. This is a drama we are experiencing today. We have to work on that.

Pope Francis repeatedly denounces this exclusion.

Smerilli: Exactly. He has concrete situations, faces and names in mind. I believe this is a collective cry from almost every corner of the world. There is exclusion, there are people who die because of the economy. Let's think about all the exploitation, including of natural resources.

Pope Francis not only denounces wrong moves in the economy, but also criticizes bad qualities within the Catholic Church, such as clericalism.

Smerilli: I believe the first step that needs to be taken in the Church is to return the priesthood to its original calling. The priesthood must not be a discriminatory factor.

So a culture change is needed.

Smerilli: Until Pope Francis made me secretary of the Vatican Development Dicastery, my position was not open to women. It always had to be a bishop. So the first step is to change this culture and these norms that only priests can do something.

And what does the second step look like?

Smerilli: Regaining the same dignity that we have as baptized people in the church. That means recognizing that there is a diversity of positions, but that does not mean inequality or exclusion of anyone.

Does this mean an opening for women to take up ordained ministries?

Smerilli: If a woman were to become a priest today, it would not change the structure of clericalism and thus maintain the characteristics of the privileges of the priesthood. And that means that the priesthood will again be placed above other offices.

“That’s why it’s also our responsibility to take change into our own hands.”

Do you feel change in the church?

Smerilli: Pope Francis is about opening windows. This is how I read his entire Pontificate. An economist once gave an example: In an abandoned building there are many intact panes of glass. If someone starts throwing stones into the windows, all the windows will be broken within a very short time. I think Pope Francis does that. That's why it's our responsibility to take change into our own hands.

Source

*Sr. Alessandra Smerilli (49) is a Don Bosco Sister and economist. She is a professor at the Pontifical Auxilium University of Political Economy and Statistics. Pope Francis appointed her Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development in March 2021. She became provisional secretary of the dicastery in August 2021 and was confirmed in April 2022.

Cathcon:  Rather better that the Pope should be preaching the Cross of Christ rather than smashing windows.  She mentions Christ once in all this ecclesiastical babble (she would not notice- all her books are about economics and values)  but Francis 16 times and, of course, the Rupnik Case not at all, even though it should be the concern of all and most especially women that the Pope appears to be covering for a serial abuser.