GEORGE TOWN: The Titular Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang, Right Reverend Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis has been announced as Malaysia's second Roman Catholic cardinal by Pope Francis today.
The 72 year-old, who is also Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei president, is among 21 new cardinals who will be appointed in a ceremony at the Vatican on September 30.
"I would like to announce that next 30 September I will hold a Consistory for the appointment of new Cardinals.
"Where they come from expresses the universality of the Church, which continues to proclaim the merciful love of God to all people of the earth," Pope Francis was quoted by the Vatican News.
"In addition, the insertion of the new Cardinals in the Diocese of Rome, manifests the inseparable bond between the See of Peter and the local Churches spread throughout the world," he said.
Cardinal-elect Sebastian Francis is the second bishop from Penang to be appointed a cardinal.
The late Anthony Soter Fernandez, who was former Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, served as Bishop of Penang from 1977 to 1983.
Fernandez died in 2020, aged 88.
"The Mission continues," Malaysia's cardinal-elect Francis told the New Straits Times when contacted.
"I am happy to follow in the footsteps of Cardinals Soter Fernandez (Malaysia), Cornelius Sim of Brunei and William Goh of Singapore for the unity and continuity of the mission," he added.
"I send my blessings to all in the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and beyond, " he added.
Pope Francis also named as cardinals, Bishop Stephen Chriw Sau-yan of Hong Kong, Bishop Américo Manuel Alves Aguivar who is Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti Prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches and Apostolic Nunzio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre.
Vatican News also said that, saying farewell to the faithful in a scorching St. Peter's Square in Rome today, Pope Francis called for prayers for the future cardinals to help him in his service to the Church, and for the good of the faithful.
