Lay woman appointed to Vatican

The first female undersecretary has been appointed to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Flaminia Giovanelli is the new undersecretary, taking over from Bishop Frank Dewane who left the post to go to the Diocese of Venice, Florida in 2006.

The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace wrote in a statement, "The appointment of Ms Giovanelli confirms the great trust the Church and the Holy Father Benedict XVI place in women.  In his time, Venerable Pope John Paul II also underlined the need for a 'fuller and meaningful participation of women in the development of society'.”

Previously an Australian laywoman Rosemary Goldie held the same post in the Pontifical Council for the Laity from 1966 to 1976, and a religious, Sr. Enrica Rosanna F.M.A., is currently under secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Flaminia Giovanelli is aged 61 and a graduate in political science from the University of Rome and holds diplomas in library science and religious studies.  She began working in the then Pontifical Justice and Peace Commission in 1974 where she has since looked after development, poverty and work in the context of Church social doctrine. 

She is an expert in the development and labour policies of the International Labour Organisation, the Council of Europe, the European Union, ECOSOC and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

In her new five-year post, Flaminia Giovenelli will be working with Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson and Bishop Mario Toso S.D.B., who are president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace respectively.

The Council is a part of the Roman Curia and was established for the international promotion of justice, peace and human rights based on the teachings of the Church.

by Ann Marie Foley