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Sister Maria Nirmalini A.C. is an Indian Catholic nun, the Superior General of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation, and President of the Conference of Religious Women India. Pope Leo XIV has appointed Sr Maria Nirmalini, A.C., as a Consultor of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, entrusting her with a five-year term of service to the universal Church.

The appointment was formally communicated in a Vatican document issued on June 18, 2026, by the Secretariat of State. The decree, addressed to the Consultors of the Dicastery, states that Sr Maria Nirmalini has been appointed to the position for five years.

The appointment places Sr Nirmalini among those called to assist the Vatican Dicastery in its work concerning institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life across the Catholic Church.

The Dicastery is responsible for matters relating to religious institutes, consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, accompanying communities in their life, governance and mission.

As a Consultor, Sr Nirmalini will be expected to contribute her experience and insights to the Dicastery’s consultations and deliberations on issues concerning consecrated life. Consultors assist the Dicastery by offering expertise and counsel on matters brought before it.

Her selection reflects the contribution that experienced religious leaders can make to the Church’s reflection on the challenges and opportunities facing consecrated life in different cultural and pastoral contexts.

Her five-year appointment also brings an Indian religious perspective to the Dicastery’s international consultations at a time when religious congregations worldwide are responding to changing pastoral realities, new forms of mission and the evolving needs of consecrated life.

The appointment is significant for consecrated life in the Church, highlighting the role of women religious and religious leaders from different parts of the world in contributing to the discernment and mission of the Holy See.

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Pope Leo XIV Names Indian Cardinal Gracias Special Envoy to FABC Assembly in Jakarta – By RVA News

July 16, 2026 admin Leave a comment

Pope Leo XIV Names Indian Cardinal Gracias Special Envoy to FABC Assembly in Jakarta – By RVA News

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay, as his Special Envoy to the 12th Plenary Assembly of the FABC, to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from July 20–26, 2026.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Cardinal Oswald Gracias, emeritus Archbishop of Bombay, western India, as his Special Envoy to the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), scheduled to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, from July 20 to 26, 2026.

In a letter addressed to Cardinal Gracias, the pope expressed his hope for the continued growth of the Church in Asia, emphasizing the region’s role in witnessing to the Christian faith and promoting human dignity.

Reflecting on the mission of the Church in Asia, Pope Leo XIV encouraged bishops and faithful to remain engaged with the realities of the contemporary world.

“Do not be afraid to get your hands dirty in the work of our time,” the pope said, urging the Church to respond with prayer, wisdom, and perseverance to the challenges facing humanity.

The pope highlighted the importance of placing God at the center of the Church’s actions and ensuring that the human person remains at the heart of its decisions. He said that those often pushed to the margins — including the poor, the sick, migrants, and children — must be recognized as central to building a more just and compassionate society.

Drawing from Psalm 85:11, Pope Leo XIV called for a world where “charity and truth meet” and where “justice and peace” are united.

The pope also encouraged the Church to become a builder of communion rather than an institution shaped by division or self-interest.

“We must become builders of communion and not architects of the Babylon of this age; servants of the coming Kingdom, not builders of towers destined for ruin,” he said.

Cardinal Gracias, who served as Archbishop of Bombay, India, from 2006 to 2025, is widely recognized for his contributions to the Church in Asia and his involvement in regional and global Church leadership. He previously served as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and as a member of the Vatican’s key advisory bodies.

As the pope’s representative, Cardinal Gracias will preside over liturgical celebrations and convey Pope Leo XIV’s greetings and closeness to bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful participating in the FABC gathering.

The 12th FABC Plenary Assembly will bring together bishops from across Asia under the theme “The Call to Synodal Conversion and the Mission to be Bridges and Bridge-builders in Asia,” focusing on the Church’s call to strengthen communion, dialogue, and missionary engagement across the continent.