Head of Ballintemple congregation is first woman appointed to prestigious role by Pope Leo

An Irish nun, who is the leader of her Cork-based congregation, is the first woman to be appointed to a presitigious role by Pope Leo.

[/url]Sister Mary T Barron has been named the new adjunct secretary for the dicastery of evangelisation. She is leader of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), a congregation which is headquartered in Ardfoyle Convent in Ballintemple village.

Sister Mary will serve as president of the Pontifical Mission Societies from January of next year. Her role will involve supporting the evangelising of local churches throughout the world through prayer and missionary formation.

Responding to the announcement of her appointment, Sr Mary said she will take on the role "with a heart filled with gratitude, humility, and trust in God's providence".

"I am deeply thankful to the Holy Father for the confidence he has placed in me and for the opportunity to serve the church in this important missionary ministry," said Sr Mary,  a native of Galdonagh, near Manorcunningham in Co Donegal.

"My first feeling is one of profound thanksgiving to God. Throughout my life as a missionary and religious sister, I have sought simply to respond to God's call wherever it has led me.

"This appointment was completely unexpected, and I accept it in the same spirit of service that has guided my vocation from the very beginning."

Sr Mary is the first woman to be elected in this position, a milestone she said is "larger than myself".

"I see it as a recognition of the countless women, religious and lay, who have dedicated their lives to proclaiming the Gospel and serving God's people in every corner of the world," said Sr Mary.

The Pontifical Mission Societies are the official missionary societies of the Catholic Church, supporting the evangelising mission of local churches worldwide.