Rocca di Papa, May 22, 2025 — The fifth day of the 22nd General Assembly of the Society of African Missions (SMA) was marked by both sober reflection and joyful celebration. Delegates turned their attention to the vital area of financial stewardship, while also rejoicing in the Vatican appointment of one of the facilitators—Sr. Tiziana Merletti—to a key leadership position in the Roman Curia.

Stewardship and Shared Responsibility

In a detailed and transparent financial presentation, the SMA General Bursar, Fr. Didier Lawson, together with his assistant Alexia Paolino, offered a comprehensive overview of the Society’s economic health. The report, based on rubrics from the 2019 General Assembly and the 2022 Plenary Council, covered a six-year window and focused on areas such as support for initial and ongoing formation, contributions to growing missionary units, the Generalate’s operational budget, and allocations from both ordinary and extraordinary funds.

Amid rising global economic uncertainty, the General Bursar emphasized prudence and transparency. “The economic storms of recent years—COVID-19, inflation, and geopolitical instability—have had real consequences,” Fr. Lawson noted. Still, the SMA has stayed the course, with all finances audited and compliant with Italian legal standards.

Delegates applauded ongoing investments in formation infrastructure and welcomed the continued solidarity among SMA units across continents. Fr. Lawson’s stewardship—now in its 14th year—was lauded for its rigor and deep understanding of the SMA’s spiritual and operational mission.

Historic Vatican Appointment: Sr. Tiziana Merletti Named Dicastery Secretary

In the midst of budget charts and policy discussions, the Assembly paused for a moment of celebration as news broke from the Vatican: Sr. Tiziana Merletti, a Franciscan Sister of the Poor and facilitator of the SMA General Assembly, had been appointed Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The appointment by Pope Leo XIV marks a significant milestone not only for Sr. Tiziana personally but for the evolving role of women in the governance of the Catholic Church.

A seasoned academic and former Superior General of her congregation, Sr. Merletti brings decades of experience to the post. She currently teaches canon law at the Pontifical Antonianum University and has long been active in inter-congregational governance through her work with the International Union of Superiors General. She now becomes the third woman to hold a Secretary-level position in the Roman Curia.

Her nomination is in line with reforms set in motion by Praedicate Evangelium, Pope Francis’s Apostolic Constitution that opened Curial leadership to laypeople and women. Sr. Tiziana will serve under Sr. Simona Brambilla, the first woman to lead a Vatican dicastery, who was recently appointed Prefect of the same department.

The hall erupted in applause upon the announcement, with delegates joyfully toasting the news over an abundance of gelato at lunch.

Facing the Future Together

As small-group discussions resumed in the afternoon, delegates reflected on the financial report in light of the SMA’s broader mission. The atmosphere was one of both realism and hope. There are legitimate concerns: declining contributions from some regions, the challenges of self-financing in newer provinces, and the need to better accompany young missionaries who struggle with the demands of difficult mission fields.

Yet signs of encouragement remain. The continued growth in vocations, inter-unit solidarity, and trust in Divine Providence—as well as strategic tools like the PACEM Foundation and the expertise of dedicated lay collaborators—all point to a future that can be both sustainable and mission-driven.

Fr. Lawson’s closing recommendation echoed a sentiment felt throughout the day: financial stewardship must be seen not simply as administration, but as a ministry—one rooted in trust, community, and shared vision.

As the Assembly prepares to enter a second day of group work focused on thematic proposals, the tone is clear: the path ahead requires unity, discernment, and responsible collaboration.

And, as one delegate affectionately quipped in honor of the day’s liturgical feast, “For the impossible, we have Saint Rita.”

By Dominic Wabwireh