Pope Leo XIV has appointed Brother Armin Luistro, FSC, Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Brothers), as a member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
The announcement, released by the Holy See Press Office on June 25, 2025, listed Brother Armin among 18 newly appointed members from across the world. The group includes eminent Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and Superiors General representing a diversity of continents, cultures, and religious charisms.
Brother Armin’s appointment marks a historic milestone, not only for the De La Salle Brothers but for the broader Filipino Church. As the first Filipino and first Asian to serve as Superior General of the De La Salle Brothers, elected in 2022, Brother Armin continues to break new ground.
His leadership is widely recognized for blending deep pastoral sensitivity with professional experience in education and governance, having previously served as President of De La Salle University and Philippine Secretary of Education.
The Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life plays a crucial role in the life of the universal Church. It oversees matters related to governance, formation, discipline, apostolic mission, and community life for more than 600,000 religious men and women and numerous apostolic societies around the world.
As a new member, Brother Armin will join a global table of voices tasked with advising the Holy Father and shaping Vatican policies that affect religious life across continents, from addressing vocations crises and safeguarding concerns, to promoting interculturality and dialogue in apostolic communities.
Brother Armin’s inclusion is especially significant as it brings the often-underrepresented voice of lay religious brothers into Vatican decision-making structures. His presence reflects Pope Leo XIV’s ongoing commitment to broaden representation from the Global South, recognizing the unique pastoral realities and challenges faced by religious congregations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The new roster of appointees includes prominent Church leaders such as Cardinal Arthur Roche, Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem, Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa'ichi of Tanzania, and several Superiors General from missionary and contemplative congregations.
Brother Armin’s background in education, leadership formation, intercultural engagement, and pastoral care positions him well for this ministry of dialogue, accompaniment, and discernment.
As he takes up this new service to the Universal Church, Radio Veritas Asia joins the Filipino faithful in prayer and support for Brother Armin Luistro, FSC, trusting that his leadership will help foster hope, renewal, and prophetic witness within consecrated life.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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