Penang bishop among 21 new cardinals named by Pope

 

The Rt Rev Sebastian Francis, 71, became bishop of Penang in 2012. He began his career in the priesthood in 1977. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: The bishop of Penang, Sebastian Francis, 71, was elevated by Pope Francis today to the high rank of cardinal of the Catholic church.

He is among 21 churchmen appointed as cardinal, who will become eligible to choose a new pontiff to succeed Pope Francis, 86, after his death or resignation.

Johor Bahru-born Francis became a priest in the Melaka-Johor diocese in 1977 after studying at the minor seminary in Singapore and at the College-General in Penang.

He became bishop of Penang in 2012, and is the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei and chairman of the Office of Social Communication of theFederation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.

The new cardinals appointed by the pope come from countries including the US, Italy, Argentina, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain, Colombia, South Sudan, Hong Kong, Poland, Malaysia, Tanzania, and Portugal, the Vatican announced.

A significant appointment was that of bishop Stephen Chow Sau-Yan of Hong Kong, who is one of the major links to the Catholic Church in China, where the Vatican is trying to improve conditions for Catholics.

The bishop visited Beijing in April, Reuters reported.

Another notable appointment is that of archbishop Robert Francis Prevost, an American who was recently named head of the Vatican department that helps the pope choose new bishops, one of the most powerful posts in the Vatican.

Eighteen of the 21 are under 80 and will be able to enter an eventual secret conclave to choose the next pope. They are known as cardinal electors.

The ceremony to install the new cardinals, known as a consistory, will be held on Sept 30. After the September consistory, there will be 137 cardinal electors, about 73% of them chosen by Francis.

This increases the possibility that the next pope will share his vision of a more progressive, inclusive Church.

Francis has also increased the possibility that the next pope will come from Asia or Africa, having consistently named cardinal electors from those continents and giving less importance than his predecessor to countries in Europe.
All cardinals, regardless of their age, are allowed to take part in pre-conclave meetings, known as general congregations, giving them a say in the type of person they think the younger cardinals should choose.

Cardinals rank second only to the pope in the church hierarchy and serve as his closest advisers.

Due to their historical power and influence, they are still called the princes of the church, although Francis has told them not to live like royalty and to be close to the poor.

Three of the new cardinals were recently named as heads of major Vatican departments, including Argentine archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, head of the Vatican’s doctrinal department. - FMT