Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Sister Pietra Luana (Etra) Modica, Scalabrinian, is the new Secretary General of the Pontifical Urbaniana University. The appointment was signed by Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokin Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and Grand Chancellor of the missionary University. It is the first time since its founding in 1627 that this position has been assigned to a woman. "I would like to thank Cardinal Tagle and the Congregation of the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters - explains Sister Etra in a note sent to Fides -. I bring the charism at the service of migrants, because formation is one of the keys to integration and new opportunities also for women religious who come from different countries and study at Urbaniana University". The University was founded in the 17th century with a profound purpose: to train missionaries and thus care for the peoples of the world. Basically, a "global observatory" was already created in Rome at this time, capable of focusing on educational paths to strengthen dialogue and confrontation. "In communion with the General Councilors, with all the Scalabrinian Sisters and in communion with the Scalabrinian family, I thank Cardinal Tagle for the appointment of Sister Etra Luana Modica - says Sister Neusa de Fatima Mariano, Superior General of the Scalabrinian sisters - who is for us, a recognition of our mission with migrants and refugees. We welcome it as a service to the Church, with an international perspective". Sister Etra Modica has extensive experience in the field of formation and pastoral care of migrants, having assumed various roles within her Congregation and various ecclesial bodies. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 2/10/2021)