Sr. Maria Nirmalini Takes Vatican Consultor Role

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 14 August 2026

Apostolic Carmel Sr. Maria Nirmalini, who leads Catholic women religious in India, has been appointed as a consultant to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life for a five-year term.

Pope Leo XIV’s appointment was formally announced in the Vatican bulletin on August 6. Speaking to Global Sisters Report on August 7, Maria said she was humbled by the appointment and requested the prayers and support of religious communities across India.

She also expressed hope that she would be able to carry out her new responsibilities from India without having to relocate to Rome.

Maria will serve alongside several other newly appointed consultors, including Loreto Sr. Patricia Murray, Sr. Chiara Lorenzato, Teresian Sr. María Rosaura González Casas, Sr. Mary (Makamatine) Lembo and Cordimarian Sr. Maria do Disterro Rocha Santos.

Key Highlights:

• Sr. Maria, appointed Vatican consultant for a five-year term by Pope Leo XIV
• Represents over 103,000 women religious in India through her leadership at the Conference of Religious India
• Will contribute to global religious life, focusing on challenges, leadership, empowerment and strengthening religious communities

Currently, Maria is vice president of the Conference of Religious India and represents more than 103,000 women religious across the country.

While accepting the Vatican appointment as a recognition to the church in India, some said her absence in the country will be a loss, especially to the women religious.

"She has given an able leadership to the consecrated life in India as the head of the Conference of Women Religious and initiated several wellness programs among them," said Claretian Fr. George Kannanthanam, who has worked with Maria for several years in reaching out to people living in poverty.

He also said Maria is a fitting person for the consultor post as she has already served the Indian religion in the field of mental health promotion, leadership training and personal empowerment programs.

Maria said her new role may address various challenges in religious life globally, accompanying the religious to live out their charisms and contribute to the church's mission.

"I see the appointment as an opportunity to experience global sisterhood and brotherhood and walk together for the common good," she said.

Also, Maria said the new role could help address challenges facing religious life globally while accompanying religious communities in living out their charisms and contributing to the Church’s mission. She described the appointment as an opportunity to experience global sisterhood and brotherhood and to work together for the common good.