During the Regina Caeli today, Solemnity of the Ascension, the Holy Father Francis announced a consistory for the creation of new Cardinals.
Words of the Holy Father
On Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 August a meeting will be held of all the cardinals to reflect on the new Apostolic Constitution Praedicate evangelium, and on Saturday 27 August, I will hold a Consistory for the creation of new cardinals. Here are the names of the new cardinals:
1. Archbishop Arthur Roche – prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments;
2. Archbishop Lazzaro You Heung sik – prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy;
3. Archbishop Fernando Vérgez Alzaga L.C. – president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, and president of the Governorate of Vatican City State;
4. Archbishop Jean-Marc Aveline – metropolitan of Marseille, France;
5. Bishop Peter Okpaleke of Ekwulobia, Nigeria.
6. Archbishop Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, O.F.M., of Manaus, Brazil;
7. Archbishop Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão of Goa and Damão, India;
8. Bishop Robert Walter McElroy of San Diego, United States of America;
9. Archbishop Virgilio Do Carmo Da Silva, S.D.B., of Dili, East Timor;
10. Bishop Oscar Cantoni of Como, Italia;
11. Archbishop Anthony Poola of Hyderabad, India;
12. Archbishop Paulo Cezar Costa, metropolitan of the archdiocese of Brasília, Brazil;
13. Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr, M. Afr., of Wa, Ghana;
14. Archbishop William Goh Seng Chye of Singapore, Singapore;
15. Archbishop Adalberto Martínez Flores, metropoiltan of Asunción, Paraguay;
16. Bishop Giorgio Marengo, I.M.C., prefect Apostolic of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Along with the above, I will add to the members of the College of Cardinals:
1. Archbishop Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal, emeritus of Cartagena, Colombia;
2. Archbishop Lucas Van Looy, S.D.B., emeritus of Ghent, Belgium;
3. Reverend Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J. - professor of theology;
4. Msgr. Fortunato Frezza - canon of Saint Peter.
Let us pray for the new Cardinals so that, confirming their adhesion to Christ, they may help me in my ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of all the faithful Holy People of God.
Brief biographies of the Cardinals to be created
1. Archbishop Arthur Roche – prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
Archbishop Arthur Roche was born in Batley Carr, in the diocese of Leeds, on 6 March 1950. He was educated at Christleton Lodge in Chester and then at the English College in Valladolid, Spain. He was ordained a priest on 19 July 1975 for the diocese of Leeds.
After three years of ministry as parish vicar in Barnsley, he became secretary to Bishop Gordon Wheeler of Leeds. At the same time, he served as chaplain of the Saint John Bosco School in Leeds and vice chancellor of the diocese. He coordinated the visit of the Holy Father John Paul II to York in 1982. For six years he worked as parish vicar of the cathedral and then became parish priest of Saint Wilfrid’s parish in Leeds.
In 1991 he was sent to Rome to continue his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he was awarded a licentiate in Spiritual Theology. For four years he served as spiritual director at the Venerable English College in Rome. From 1996 until his episcopal appointment, he was secretary general of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
Elected titular bishop of Rusticiana and auxiliary of Westminster on 12 April 2001, he received episcopal consecration on the following 10 May. He was also chairman of the Westminster Department of Pastoral Affairs.
On 16 July 2002 Saint John Paul II appointed him coadjutor bishop of Leeds, England, and he succeeded him by coadjuture on 7 April 2004.
On 26 June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, elevating him at the same time to the dignity of Archbishop.
On 27 May 2021 the Holy Father Francis appointed him prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
On 11 December 2021 he was chosen as a member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
2. Archbishop Lazzaro You Heung sik – prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy
Archbishop Lazzaro You Heung sik was born in 1951 and ordained a priest for the diocese of Daejeon, becoming a coadjutor in the same diocese in 2003, and two years later took over its leadership. He headed the Peace Committee of the Korean Bishops’ Conference and visited North Korea four times, keeping the prayer and hope for peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula in his heart.
In August 2014, Bishop Lazarus You Heung-sik welcomed the Holy Father Francis to the diocese of Daejeon on the occasion of the Sixth Asian Youth Day.
In October 2018, he participated – at the behest of the Pope - in the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Youth.
Appointed on 11June 2021 by Pope Francis as prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, he was conferred at the same time the title of archbishop-bishop emeritus of Daejeon.
On 11 December 2021, he was chosen as a member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
3. Archbishop Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, L.C. – president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, and president of the Governorate of Vatican City State
Archbishop Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, L.C., was born in Salamanca, Spain, on 1 March 1945. On 25 December 1965 he gave his religious vows in the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and was ordained a priest on 26 November 1969.
He obtained a licentiate in philosophy and theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and a diploma from the Archivist School at the Vatican Secret Archives.
On 1 August 1972, he began his service at the Holy See in the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; in April 1984, he was transferred to the Pontifical Council for the Laity; in June 2004, he was appointed head of office of the Holy See’s Internet Office; and finally, on 10 January 2008, he was appointed director of the Telecommunications Directorate of Vatican City State.
On 30 August 2013, he was appointed secretary general of the Governorate of Vatican City State, and on 15 October of the same year, he was elevated to the dignity of bishop and assigned the titular episcopal see of Villamagna in Proconsulari.
On 29 September 2020, he was appointed member of the Commission for Confidential Matters.
On 8 September 2021, the Holy Father appointed him president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, at the same time conferring to him the personal title of archbishop.
4. Archbishop Jean-Marc Aveline – metropolitan of Marseille, France
Archbishop Jean-Marc Aveline was born on 26 December 1958 in Sidi Bel Abbès, diocese of Oran, Algeria. After his secondary studies at the Lycée Thiers in Marseille, in 1977 he entered the Interdiocesan Seminary of Avignon where he attended the first cycle of theology, and then the Séminaire des Carmes in Paris, pursuing his theological studies at the Institut Catholique, where he was awarded a doctorate in theology in 2000. He also holds a licentiate in philosophy from the Université Paris I et Paris IV Sorbonne.
He was ordained a priest on 3 November 1984 for the archdiocese of Marseille.
Since ordination, he has held the following ministerial posts: professor of theology and director of studies at the Inter-Diocesan Seminary in Marseille and member of the pastoral team of the Saint-Marcel parish in Marseille (1986-1991); episcopal vicar for ongoing formation and member of the pastoral team of the Saint-Pierre - Saint-Paul parish in Marseille (1987-2007); head of the Service diocésain des vocations and diocesan delegate for seminarians (1991-1996); founder and director of the Institut de sciences et de théologie des religions in Marseille (ISTR) (1992-2002);. director of the Institut Saint-Jean, which in 1998 became the Institut Catholique de la Méditerranée, associated with the Faculty of Theology of Lyon (1995-2013); and lecturer at the Faculty of Theology of the Université Catholique de Lyon (1997-2007). Since 2007 he has also been vicar general of Marseille.
In addition, from 2008 to 2012 he was a consultor at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
On 19 December 2013, he was elected to the titular see of Simidicca and appointed auxiliary bishop of Marseille. He received episcopal ordination on 26 January 2014.
On 8 August 2019, the Holy Father Francis appointed him metropolitan archbishop of Marseille, France.
5. Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke of Ekwulobia, Nigeria
Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke was born on 1 March 1963, in Amesi, Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State. After attending local schools, he entered the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary, in Ikot-Ekpene and Enugu, in 1983, where he studied philosophy and theology (1983-1992).
He was ordained a priest on 22 August 1992 and incardinated in the diocese of Awka.
After ordination, he held the following positions: 1992 - 1995: assistant secretary to the bishop and procurator of the bishop’s residence; 1993 - 1995: member, Aguata Local Goverment Education; 1995 - 1997: higher studies at CIWA, Port Harcourt; 1997 - 1999: chaplain at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and financial administrator of the diocese; 1999 - 2002: higher studies in canon law in Rome, at the University of the Holy Cross; 2002-2011: chancellor of the diocese of Awka, secretary of the diocesan Pastoral Council, secretary of the Presbyteral Council and College of Deans, diocesan examiner; since 1995: member of the Canon Law Society of Nigeria; since 2002: member of the College of Consultors; since 2005: member of the Committee for the Creation of Dioceses; since 2007: judge at the Inter-Diocesan Court of Onitsha; since 2011; and parish priest of the Saints John and Paul parish, Umubele, Awka. On 7 December 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him bishop of Ahiara.
On 5 March 2020, the Holy Father Francis appointed him the first bishop of the Diocese of Ekwulobia.
6. Archbishop Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, O.F.M. - metropolitan of Manaus, Brazil
Archbishop Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, O.F.M., was born on 6 November 1950 in Forquilhinha, State of Santa Catarina, in the diocese of Criciúma, Brazil.
He made his religious profession in the Order of Friars Minor on 2 August 1976 and was ordained a priest on 21 January 1978. He studied philosophy and theology with the Franciscans in Petrópolis. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and pedagogy at the Salesian Faculty of Lorraine. He was awarded a licentiate and doctorate in philosophy at the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome. After his studies and a period as deputy parish priest and parish priest, he served as formator in the seminary until 1986, and master of novices from 1986 to 1995.
From 1995 to 2003, he was professor of philosophy and secretary of the Antonianum. Returning to Brazil in 2003, he served as deputy parish priest of the Bom Jesus parish in the archdiocese of Curitiba, as well as lecturer in the Bom Jesus Faculty of Philosophy.
On 2 February 2005, he was appointed bishop prelate of São Félix and received episcopal ordination on the following 16 April. On 21 September 2011 he was appointed titular bishop of Tisiduo and auxiliary of Brasilia.
From May 2011 to May 2019 he served as secretary general of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil.
On 27 November 2019, the Holy Father Francis appointed him metropolitan archbishop of Manaus, Brazil.
7. Archbishop Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão of Goa e Damão, India
Archbishop Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão was born on 20 January 1953 in Aldona, Goa. He studied philosophy and theology in the Seminary of Poona.
He then obtained a licentiate in biblical theology at the Pontifical Urbanian University (1988) and a licentiate in catechetics and pastoral theology at the International Lumen Vitae Institute (Brussels - 1991).
He was ordained a priest on 28 October 1979.
During the course of his priestly ministry, he has held various offices: parish vicar in Salvador do Mundo (1979) in Chinchinim (1981-84); prefect and lecturer at Our Lady Minor Seminary in Saligao-Pilerne (1984-1986), diocesan director of the Centre for the Apostolate of the Laity (1991-1994); ecclesiastical consultor of Saint Luke’s Medical Guild (1993-1994); and episcopal vicar of the archdiocese of Goa.
On 25 January 1994 he was appointed titular bishop of Vanariona and auxiliary of Goa and Damão.
Within the Episcopal Conference he has held various posts, including president of the Commission for Justice, Peace and Development (1995); and president of the Commission for the Laity (1998-2002).
On 16 January 2004, Saint John Paul II appointed him archbishop of Goa and Damão with the title of Patriarca ad honorem of the East Indies.
8. Bishop Robert Walter McElroy of San Diego, U.S.A.
Bishop Robert Walter McElroy was born in San Francisco, California, in the archdiocese of the same name, on 5 February 1954. After attending Saint Joseph Minor Seminary, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in history from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1975) and a masters in history from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California (1976). He completed his ecclesiastical studies at Saint Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, California. He then obtained a licentiate in theology at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California (1985). He was later awarded a doctorate in moral theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1986) and a doctorate in Political Science from Stanford University (1989).
He was ordained a priest on 12 April 1980, for the archdiocese of San Francisco.
After his ordination, he held the following positions: parish vicar of Saint Cecilia parish in San Francisco (1980-1982); personal secretary to Archbishop John R. Quinn and master of ceremonies (1982-1985); parish vicar of Saint Pius parish in Redwood City (1989-1995); vicar general (1995-1997); parish priest of Saint Gregory parish in San Mateo and archdiocesan consultor (1997-2010).
In 1996 he was appointed Prelate of Honour of His Holiness.
Appointed titular bishop of Gemellae in Byzacena and auxiliary of San Francisco on 6 July 2010, he received episcopal consecration on the following 7 September.
On 3 March 2015, Holy Father Francis appointed him bishop of San Diego, United States of America.
9. Archbishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, S.D.B., of Díli, East Timor
Archbishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, S.D.B., was born on 27 November 1967 in Venilale, in the diocese of Baucau. After primary and secondary school with the Salesians in Fatumaca, he entered the Salesian Society of Don Bosco. He was then sent to study philosophy and theology in Manila. He made his first profession with the Salesians on 31 May 1990 and his perpetual profession on 19 March 1997. He was ordained a priest on 18 December 1998.
After priestly ordination he held the following positions: 1999-2004: formator of novices; 2004-2005: treasurer of the Formation House in Venilale and parish vicar; 2005-2007: studies in Rome for a licentiate in Spirituality at the Salesian Pontifical University; 2007-2014: master of novices; 2009-2014: and director of the Salesian House and Don Bosco Technical High School in Fatumaca. In 2015, he was selected as provincial of the Salesians in his province.
On 30 January 2016, the Holy Father Francis appointed him bishop of the diocese of Díli, East Timor.
On 11 September 2019, the Holy Father appointed him the first metropolitan srchbishop of Díli.
10. Bishop Oscar Cantoni of Como, Italy
Bishop Oscar Cantoni was born in Lenno, in the province and diocese of Como, on 1 September 1950. After attending Classical High School at the Collegio Gallio in Como of the Somaschi Fathers and graduating from high school, he entered the Como Seminary to undertake courses in theology. Besides collaborating with spirituality magazines, in which he published articles on vocational topics, he published several books for young people.
On 28 June 1975, he received priestly ordination in Como, his home diocese.
Since priestly ordination, he has held the following positions and ministries: from 1995 to 1986 he was in charge of the promotion of vocationsin the seminary; collaborator in the parish of Santa Maria Regina in Como; chaplain to the Sisters at the Collegio Santa Chiara in Muggiò; and from 1986 to 1999, director of the Diocesan Vocations Centre and religious education teacher in secondary schools in Como; from 1990 to 2005, spiritual director of theologians in the diocesan seminary; preacher of Spiritual Exercises for priests and founder of the Ordo Virginum in the diocese. On 11 July 2000 he was appointed Prelate of Honour of His Holiness. From 2003 to 2005 he was episcopal vicar for the clergy of Como.
On 25 January 2005 he was elected to the episcopal see of Crema and on 5 March of the same year he received episcopal consecration.
On 4 October 2016, the Holy Father Francis appointed him bishop of the diocese of Como, Italy.
11. Archbishop Anthony Poola of Hyderabad, India
Archbishop Anthony Poola was born on 15 November 1961 in Poluru, in the diocese of Kurnool. After attending the minor seminary in Nuzvid, he studied at Saint Peter’s Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore.
He received priestly ordination on 20 February 1992 and was incardinated in the diocese of Cuddapah.
After his priestly ordination, he held the following positions: 1992-1993: parish vicar in Saint Mary’s Cathedral; 1993-1994: parish vicar in Amagampalli; 1994-2001: and parish priest in various parishes: 1994-1995 in Tekurpet; 1995-2000 in Badvel; 2000-2001 in Veerapalli; 2001-2003. He studied for a master's degree in pastoral care and attended a course in theology at Loyola University, Chicago, in the United States of America, where he provided pastoral service at Saint Genevieve Church, in the archdiocese of Chicago.
From 2004 to 2008 he was director of the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.
He also served as diocesan consultor, secretary for education, and deputy administrator of the schools of the diocese of Cuddapah and coordinator of the Sponsorship Program.
On 8 February 2008 he was appointed bishop of Kurnool
On 19 November 2020, the Holy Father Francis appointed him metropolitan archbishop of Hyderabad, India.
12. Archbishop Paulo Cezar Costa – metropolitan of the archdiocese of Brasília, Brazil
Archbishop Paulo Cezar Costa was born on 20 July 1967 in Valença, in the diocese of the same name. He completed his studies in philosophy at Nossa Senhora do Amor Divino seminary in Petrópolis and in theology at the Higher Institute of Theology of the metropolitan archdiocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. He then obtained his licentiate and doctorate in dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1996-2001).
He received priestly ordination on 5 December 1992 and was incardinated in the diocese of Valença.
During his priestly ministry he held the following positions: parish vicar in Paraíba do Sul (1993); parish priest of São Sebastião dos Ferreiros parish in Vassouras (1994-1996), parish priest of Santa Rosa de Lima parish in Valença (2001-2006); director and professor of the Department of Theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (2007-2010); rector of the Paulo VI Interdiocesan Seminary and director of the Paulo VI Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Nova Iguaçu (2006-2010). On November 24, 2010, he was appointed titular bishop of Esco and auxiliary of the metropolitan archdiocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. He received episcopal ordination on 5 February 2011. On 22 June 2016, he was transferred as bishop of São Carlos. Within the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, he is a member of the Permanent Council and the Episcopal Commission for Culture and Education. Since 2020 he has been a member of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
On 21 October 2020, the Holy Father Francis appointed him metropolitan archbishop of the archdiocese of Brasília, Brazil.
13. Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr M. Afr. of Wa, Ghana
Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr, M. Afr., was born on 21 June 1959, in Tom-Zendagangn, diocese of Wa. He attended elementary school in the village, and continued his studies at Saint Francis Xavier minor seminary and Nandom Secondary School. He entered Saint Victor diocesan major seminary in Tamale in 1979, and after his studies in philosophy, in 1981 he entered the Society of Missionaries of Africa, where he continued his preparation for the priesthood. From 1981 to 1982 he carried out his novitiate in Fribourg, Switzerland. Then, from 1982 to 1987, he completed his theological studies at the Missionary Institute London (MIL).
On 5 December 1986 he took his religious vows at Saint Edward's College, London, and was ordained a priest on 18 July 1987.
After priestly ordination, he first served as parish vicar in Livulu, archdiocese of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (1987-1991). From 1991 to 1996 he studied exegesis at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Ignatian Spirituality at Le Chatelard in Lyon, France, where he was awarded a licentiate in Sacred Scripture and a doctorate in biblical theology. He then went on to serve as formator of the Missionaries of Africa in Kahangala, Tanzania (1996-1999); director of the formation house in Toulouse, France (1999-2004); first assistant general of the Missionaries of Africa (2004-2010); superior general of the Missionaries of Africa, the first African to hold this position (2010-2016), and vice Grand Chancellor of PISAI (Pontifical Institute of Arabic-Islamic Studies).
He was chosen by the Union of Superiors General to participate in the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family, 4-25 October 2015.
On 17 February 2016, the Holy Father Francis appointed him bishop of the diocese of Wa, Ghana, and on 4 July 2020, he was appointed member and consultor of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
14. Archbishop William Seng Chye Goh of Singapore, Singapore
Archbishop William Seng Chye Goh was born on 25 June 1957 in Singapore. He attended Montfort Secondary School, where he received his high school diploma. He completed his philosophical studies at Penang Major Seminary (College General), Malaysia, and his theological studies at Singapore Major Seminary.
He was ordained a priest on 1 May 1985, for the archdiocese of Singapore.
After ordination, he first served as parish vicar of Holy Cross in Singapore (1985-1990). From 1990 to 1992 he studied for his licentiate in theology at the Gregorian University in Rome. He went on to serve as parish priest of Saint Anne's, Singapore (1992-1993) and professor and formator at the Major Seminary of Singapore (1992-2005). Since 2005, he has held the role of rector of Singapore Major Seminary.
He has also held the following positions: member of the Presbyteral Senate, member of the College of Consultors, member of the Diocesan Council for Vocational Promotion, and spiritual director of the Archdiocesan Catholic Center for Spirituality.
On 29 December 2012, he was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Singapore.
On 20 May 2013, the Holy Father Francis appointed him archbishop of Singapore.
15. Archbishop Adalberto Martínez Flores – metropolitan of Asunción, Paraguay
Archbishop Adalberto Martínez Flores was born in Asunción, Paraguay on 8 July 1951. He attended the Faculty of Economics at the Universidad Nacional de Asuncióne of the University of Washington. (1970-1977). He then completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome (1977-1981). He was ordained a priest on 24 August 1985. He exercised his priestly ministry in the diocese of Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands, United States of America, from 1985 to 1994. He was incardinated in Asunción in 1994 and was pastor of Los Sagrados Corazones de Jesús y María from 1994 to 1997.
On 14 August 1997, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Asunción and received episcopal consecration the following 8 November. On 18 May 2000, he was appointed as first bishop of the new diocese of San Lorenzo. On 19 February 2007, he was transferred to the diocese of San Pedro and on 14 March 2012, he was appointed Military Ordinary of Paraguay. On 23 June 2018, he was transferred to Villarrica del Espíritu Santo and appointed apostolic administrator of the Military Ordinariate of Paraguay. In November 2018 he was elected president of the Episcopal Conference of Paraguay and re-elected in November 2021 for another three-year term.
On 17 February 2022, Holy Father Francis appointed him metropolitan archbishop of the archdiocese of Asunción.
16. Bishop Giorgio Marengo, I.M.C., - apostolic prefect of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Bishop Giorgio Marengo, I.M.C., was born on 7 June 1974 in Cuneo, Italy. From 1993 to 1995 he studied philosophy at the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy, and from 1995 to 1998, theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. From 2000 to 2006 he completed further studies at the Pontifical Urbanian University, obtaining a licentiate and doctorate in missionology. He gave his perpetual vows on 24 June 2000 as a member of the I.M.C., and was ordained a priest on 26 May 2001.
After priestly ordination, he first exercised his pastoral ministry in Mongolia, in Arvaiheer (2000-2003). In 2003 he was assigned to the mission in Mongolia (the first I.M.C. missionary in Mongolia). Since 2016 he has served as Asia Regional Counsellor, superior for Mongolia and parish priest of Mary Mother of Mercy in Arvaiheer.
On 2 April 2020, the Holy Father Francis appointed him apostolic prefect of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with episcopal character, assigning him the titular see of Castra severiana.
17. Archbishop Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal - emeritus of Cartagena, Colombia
He was born in Bucaramanga on 29 March 1942. He carried out his priestly studies in philosophy at the Pontifical Javeriana University in Bogotá, and his theological studies at the major seminary of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary in Bogotá. On 17 May 1964, he solemnly professed his vows in his Congregation, and was ordained a priest in Bucamaranga on 17 June 1967.
He obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Javeriana University in Bogotá. He began his ministry as professor of the major seminary of Santa Rosa de Osos, and was formator of the Eudist Seminary of Valmaría in Bogotá, head of the charitable section of the Eudist Community of “El minuto de Dios” in Bogotá, director of studies of the Theological-Pastoral Institute of CELAM in Medellín, provincial superior of his Congregation in Colombia and, from 1989 to 1991, secretary of the Latin American Confederation of Religious.
On 9 November 1992, he was appointed bishop of Zipaquirá and received episcopal ordination the following 12 December. From 1995 to 1999 he served as secretary general of CELAM and from 1999 to 2003 he was its president. Archbishop Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal has been a member of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
On 6 February 2004, he was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Cartagena.
On 24 October 2005, he was appointed archbishop of Cartagena, a role in which he served until 25 March 2021.
18. Archbishop Lucas Van Looy, S.D.B., - emeritus of Ghent, Belgium
Archbishop Lucas Van Looy, S.D.B., was born on 28 September 1941, in Tielen, in the diocese of Antwerpen. After his secondary studies with the Jesuit Fathers in Turnhout, and then at the Don Bosco College in Hechtel, in 1961 he entered the Congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco where he carried out his novitiate. From 1962 to 1964 he studied philosophy in the Salesian scholasticate in Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium. He then left for Korea for an internship as a young Salesian. Upon his return to Belgium he pursued his theological studies at the Catholic University of Louvain (1967-1970), obtaining a licentiate in missiology. He gave his perpetual profession on 6 March 1968 and was ordained a priest in Oud-Heverlee, Belgium, on 12 September 1970.
After priestly ordination, he left as a missionary to Korea where he exercised the duties of educator (1972-1974), chaplain to Catholic students (1974-1978) and provincial (1978-1984). From 1984 to 1996, he was a member of the General Council of the Salesians of Don Bosco as head of missions (1984-1990) and responsible for Salesian Youth Ministry (1990-1996). From 1996 to date, he has served as vicar general of the Major Rector of the Salesians and at the same time “responsible for the Salesian Family”.
On 19 December 2003, he was appointed bishop of Ghent, Belgium, holding office until 27 November 2019.
He speaks Dutch, French, German, English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Korean.
19. Archbishop Arrigo Miglio - emeritus of Cagliari, Italy
Archbishop Arrigo Miglio was born in San Giorgio Canavese (TO) on 18 July 1942. After his studies in the seminary of Ivrea and the preparatory year in the seminary of Turin, he attended the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, earning a licentiate in theology and a licentiate in Sacred Scripture.
He was ordained a priest on 23 September 1967.
He served first as parish vicar, then parish priest in Ivrea, directing the “House of Hospitality” in the same centre, and the “Gino Pistoni” alpine house in Gressoney - St. Jean.
In 1980 he served as vicar for pastoral care and from 1981 to 1992 as vicar general of Ivrea, during the episcopate of Archbishop Luigi Bettazzi. He was also professor of Sacred Scripture at the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy, national deputy assistant of the Scouts and assistant general of the AGESCI, and ecclesiastical assistant of the Secular Institute of the Missionaries of Infinite Love.
Elected to the episcopal see of Iglesias on 25 March 1992, he received episcopal consecration on 25 April of the same year.
On 20 February 1999, he was transferred to the episcopal see of Ivrea, where he served as secretary of the Piedmontese Bishops’ Conference and president of the Scientific and Organizing Committee of the Social Weeks of Italian Catholics.
On 25 February 2012, the Holy Father Francis appointed him metropolitan archbishop of Cagliari. He held office until 16 November 2019.
20. Reverend Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J., - former Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University
The Reverend Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J., was born in Rome on 5 July 1942. He received a doctorate in jurisprudence from the University of Rome “La Sapienza” in 1966. In the same year he entered the Society of Jesus and completed his studies in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He was ordained a priest in 1973. He later obtained a degree and doctorate in canon law from the same University.
From 1975 he taught canon Law at the Institute of Religious Studies, the Faculty of Theology and the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University where he would later become full professor; from 1995 to 2004 dean of the Faculty of Canon Law, and from 2004 to 2010, Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University.
The Reverend Fr. Ghirlanda has served the Holy See as consultant to various Congregations and Councils: the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; the Congregation for the Clergy; the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts; the Pontifical Council for the Laity; the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; the Congregation for Bishops; the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; member of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life; prelate and attorney at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura; judge of the Court of Appeals of the Vatican City State. He also collaborated in the drafting of several Apostolic Constitutions.
He has published several books and over 110 articles specializing mainly in canon law.
He has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Salamanca.
21. Reverend Msgr. Fortunato Frezza - Canon of Saint Peter’s
The Reverend Msgr. Fortunato Frezza was born in Rome on 6 February 1942. In 1966, after studies in the minor seminary of Bagnoregio and the major seminary of Viterbo, he was ordained a priest.
In 1967 he received a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, and in 1977 he obtained a degree in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome with a philological thesis on the book of the prophet Micah.
During his priestly ministry he held the following positions and ministries: from 1971 to 1984 he was parish priest in Spicciano and at the same time lecturer in Sacred Scripture at various theological institutes: the Pontifical Gregorian University (as assistant), La Quercia Viterbo Regional Seminary, various Institutes of Religious Sciences (Albano, Civita Castellana, Viterbo), International Theological Studentate of the Josephites of Murialdo in Viterbo and the Salesians in the Holy Land.
In 1983 he was appointed in the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, and from 1997 to 2014 he served as under-secretary.
In 1999 he was appointed Prelate of Honor of His Holiness.
In 2013 he was appointed canon of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, and in 2022 became Camerlengo of the Chapter of Saint Peter in the Vatican.
He has also served as spiritual assistant to staff in the Directorate of Health and Hygiene at the Vatican; spiritual assistance to several monasteries of nuns; and chaplain of the A.S. Roma football team.
His publications currently number 123 titles, particularly in the biblical field.
