5 inspiring initiatives that reinvent the church

3. A new diocesan governance with delegated women

Miranda Cartier probably did not suspect by accepting diocesan training, almost ten years ago, that she would find herself appointed, in 2023, general delegate of the diocese of Saint-Denis-en-France.

Formed within the Catholic action and with five years of theology, this ex-infirmarian and mother now assumes, at 35, a role of “governance” alongside the bishop and his vicar general; And she is not the only one.

In the synod movement on synodality, laity, women in particular, have been entrusted with significant diocesan responsibilities, in order to rebalance the too clerical reality of decision -making groups and discernment in the Church.

It remains to assess how this new function of general delegate will be established in the life of the territory. For the time being, the post sheets of these limited -term missions (three or four years, renewable) vary according to the premises: assess and coordinate the services of the diocese, manage human resources and/or the diocesan agenda, implement the local synod, support groups or projects, etc. Charges, which we perceive in hollow, assumed so far by the bishops.

This new form of delegation completes that of the vicar general, who ensures the follow -up of priests on a mission. A “necessary complementarity”, underlines Anne-Flore Vildrac (photo, in d.) who will take charge in Lille in September. To tend, according to her, “different ears” around the bishop.

Photo: The new general delegate of the diocese of Lille, Anne-Flore Vildrac (to d.), Alongside Archbishop M Gr Laurent Le Boulc’h (at c.) and Father Romuald Carton, future vicar general.