新任聖座奉獻生活及使徒團體部(DIVCSVA)協同部長(Pro-Prefect)的范達民樞機

新任聖座奉獻生活及使徒團體部(DIVCSVA)協同部長(Pro-Prefect)的范達民樞機:「我們將積極地遵從著奉獻生活和使徒運動的喜悅與挑戰。」

【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2025 年1月7 日羅馬慈幼總部訊】-慈幼會向可敬的范達民樞機(Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime)致以衷心的祝賀,祝賀他最近被任命為宗座奉獻生活及使徒團體部(DIVCSVA)協同部長。消息於2025年1月6日主顯節,由梵蒂岡新聞網公布。作為慈幼會總會長,范達民樞機在過去十年中展現了卓越的領導能力和對教會及慈幼會的堅定承諾。對於他的新角色,他與ANS分享了他的想法。

可敬的樞機,您對教宗的任命有何反應?

「昨天,在主顯節的慶祝活動後,我在聖伯多祿大殿與教宗一起慶祝,正午時分收到消息,教宗已任命布蘭比拉修女(Sister Simona Brambilla)為聖座奉獻生活及使徒團體部(DIVCSVA)的部長。他創設的這一新的協同部長職務是必不可少的,並要求我擔任這一職務。

我必須說,過去幾個月我已經知道教宗的指示,並以信德的意識及服從教宗,作為一名慈幼會會士,我會全力支持。我也希望傳達我衷心的做好準備,在這些年來的慈幼會服務之後,願意繼續貢獻我的力量,這段經歷對我來說是極其豐富的屬神和個人成長。

我很高興他們委任我這一職務,我會全力以赴,就像我在樞機團體中完全投入於教會服務一樣,願意陪伴並協助教宗,還有作為主教的牧民服務,以滿足教會的各種需要。」

你認為教宗交給你的這項新服務中,未來會有什麼挑戰?以往領導男性修會,對於現在與一位修女部長合作,你有什麼感受?

「我已經與前任部長阿維斯(Card. João Braz de Aviz)樞機和前任秘書、現在的部長布蘭比拉修女進行了多次會面和交流,一直保持良好的溝通、相互理解和有共同願景。我相信,教宗明智地構建了這個部門,既豐富又符合我們當前的時代需求。」

你在新的任務中預見了哪些夢想和挑戰?

「關於夢想、希望、計劃和展望,我對這個部門仍有很多要學習的地方,儘管我對慈幼會和修道生活有著豐富的經驗。我堅信,這個部門的32位同工的集體專業知識,將一起發揮重要作用。根據我的觀察和經歷,我們將努力照亮教會內修道生活和使徒運動的美麗。

通過我們作為部長的謙卑服務,與我和其他奉獻者一起,這個部門將啟發、開展各修會和會團的具意義的互動。我們將積極地遵從著奉獻生活和使徒運動的喜悅與挑戰。

在我擔任慈幼會總會長期間,我常常提醒各省會長:『生活總是比我們每天遇到的挑戰更豐富、更廣闊。這個部門將不僅僅是一個解決問題的辦公室。 』我這樣說是因為我知道,正是天主陪伴著慈幼會,而今天我也知道天主也陪伴著教會,透過基督的代表、教宗方濟各,由聖神引領。也是聖神帶領所有服務工作,並通過被召叫來服務的人來管理這些部門。」

生平

范達民,64歲,於1960年8月21日出生於西班牙阿斯圖里亞斯的Gozón-Luanco。1978年開始成為慈幼會會士,並於1987年7月4日在萊昂領受鐸品。他持有牧民神學學位、教育及哲學碩士學位。他曾在故鄉萊昂會省擔任青年牧民委員、奧倫塞學校的校長、省議會成員、副省會長,並於2000年至2006年擔任省會長。2009年,他被任命為阿根廷南部省會長。

在2013年12月,他原被委任為西班牙瑪利亞進教之佑新會省的省會長,但因於2014年3月25日在第27屆全代會上當選為慈幼會總會長而未能就任該職位。

他在2020年的第28屆全代會總會長選舉中連任。在任期內,他進行了多次牧民和傳教訪問,遍及120多個國家,傳遞希望和團結的信息,成為鮑思高神父的第十位繼任者。他以經驗豐富領導慈幼家庭包括32個官方認可的團體,加強了成員之間的聯繫,並推動了會眾的教育和神修使命。

多年來,作為總會長,他獲得了23個榮譽市民身份,以及來自巴勒摩大學的榮譽教育博士學位。

他於2023年7月9日星期日的三鐘經後被教宗方濟各任命為樞機,並在9月30日的擢升新樞機的儀式上正式接受了樞機的紅帽和戒指。

在2023年12月17日,范達民樞機領受教宗指派的Tuscolana路的聖母進教之佑大殿的執事職務。他於2024年4月20日在羅馬的聖母大殿被祝聖為主教。

在2025年1月6日,他被任命為聖座奉獻生活及使徒團體部(DIVCSVA)協同部長。

RMG – Card. Fernández Artime, New Pro-Prefect of DIVCSVA: “We will accompany enthusiastically the Joys and Challenges of Consecrated Life and Apostolic Movements.”

(ANS – Rome) – The Salesian Congregation extends its heartfelt congratulations to His Eminence Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime on his recent appointment as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (DIVCSVA). This announcement was made by the Vatican Press Office yesterday, January 6, 2025, the Solemnity of the Epiphany. With a decade of distinguished service as Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Cardinal Fernández Artime has demonstrated exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to the Church and the Salesian community. In light of his new role, he shared his thoughts with ANS.

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).