On 9th October, our
Holy Father Pope Francis announced that the Universal Church will have 17 new
Roman Catholic Cardinals. The consistory is scheduled to take place on 19th
November, the day before the Solemnity of Christ the King and the close of the
Jubilee Year of Mercy. Thirteen of the newly named Cardinals are under 80 years
and are therefore eligible to take part in a papal election (conclave). The
other four are not eligible to vote but they were given this title as an
honorary title.
Archbishop Emeritus Anthony Soter
Fernandez has been appointed as the first ever Roman Catholic Cardinal in
Malaysia. He is awarded this title in recognition of his extraordinary faith
and service for the Church in Peninsular Malaysia. Cardinal-elect Fernandez was
born on 22 April 1932 and became a priest on 10 December 1966. He was appointed
as Bishop of Penang on 29 September 1977 and then as an Archbishop of Kuala
Lumpur on 30 July 1983. He retired as an Archbishop on 24 May 2003. From ‘His
Grace’, today we are proud to address him as ‘His Eminence.
Last year Tan Sri Bernard
Dompok was appointed as our first ever resident ambassador to Vatican based in
Rome. Today, our country is really privileged to have its first ever Cardinal
and Ambassador. We thank Pope Francis for appointing our Archbishop Emeritus
Soter Fernandez as Malaysia’s first Cardinal and Tan Sri Dompok as Malaysia’s
first Ambassador.
Who are these Cardinals of the Catholic Church? The word “cardinal” is derived from the Latin cardinalis, which in turn derived from ‘cardo-dinis’, meaning “the
hinge of a gate, and, by extension, support, and foundation.” The cardinals are
the “hinges” upon which the doors of the Church swing open and shut; they are
the “support,” the “foundation” of the Catholic Church. Cardinals come after
the Pope in the Church hierarchy.
Cardinals are princes of the Church appointed by the Pope. They are the
closest advisors for the Church's leader, the Pope and to
assist him in his duties as universal pastor. There are
currently 211 members in the College of Cardinals who are under 80 and they
have the right to choose always among them with the help of the Holy Spirit a
new Pope.
I was overwhelmed when I heard
the news that Archbishop Emeritus Soter was named as Cardinal. I spoke to him
over the phone two days after his appointment to congratulate him. He was very
happy and told me that he would be leaving for Rome in November to receive the
“red hat”. The red hats are given to the
cardinals are the color of blood, signifying that they are expected to witness
to the faith “even unto the shedding of blood” that is, even as martyrs.
Cardinal-elect Soter Fernandez was the one who accepted and sent me to
the Seminary in Penang. He is like a “Father” to me because he has encouraged
and guided me since I wanted to be a priest in 1993. He ordained me as a priest
in February 2003 and sent me to Kuantan and Terengganu as my first posting. I
was the last candidate ordained by him before his retirement and he always
appreciates me very much as the “last son” ordained by him.
Your Eminence, our love, prayers and best wishes from Parishioners of St
Joseph’s Church, Sentul.
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