Pope Francis has named 17 new Cardinals. 13 of them be under 80 years and so eligible to vote in a conclave. Eleven come from places that have never had a cardinal.
While historically cardinals have come from certain larger cities known for their Catholic populations or global importance Pope Francis has chosen men from places long under-represented or even not represented in the College of Cardinals.
He has expresssed his concern for the people in “the beloved and martyred Syria,” by including the Italian born nuncio to that country among the new Cardinals.
Archbishop Mario Zenari, who will remain at his post there, is the only new Italian added to the college of electors with a right to vote in a conclave.
Father Ernest Simoni, is a priest of the archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult in Albania, who spoke during the pope’s visit to Tirana.
In naming three new American cardinals, Francis skipped over two U.S. cities normally represented in the College of Cardinals: Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
The three Americans are moderates who follow Francis’ emphasis on mercy over rules.
They are Blase Cupich of Chicago, Kevin Joseph Farrell, prefect of the Congregation for the Laity, the Family and Life, and Joseph William Tobin of Indianapolis.
Cupich is very much a pastor in Francis’ likeness, emphasizing the merciful and welcoming side of the church. His nomination as Chicago archbishop was Francis’ first major U.S. appointment.
Tobin, gained attention this year for rejecting a request from Indiana Gov. Mike Pence for the church to stop settling Syrian refugees in the state.
In 2014, when he was Bishop of Dallas, Ferrell volunteered a house on church property after the fiancée of the USA’s first ebola victim and her family were turned out of their appartment.
Francis said the 17 will be elevated at a consistory on Nov. 19, on the eve of the close to his Holy Year of Mercy.
List of new Cardinals
Archbishop Mario Zenari, Italy
Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Central African Republic
Archbishop Carlos Osoro Sierra, Spain
Archbishop Sérgio da Rocha, Brazil
Archbishop Blase J. Cupich, U.S.A.
Archbishop Patrick D’Rozario, Bangladesh
Archbishop Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, Venezuela
Archbishop Jozef De Kesel, Belgium
Archbishop Maurice Piat, Mauritius
Archbishop Kevin Joseph Farrell, U.S.A.
Archbishop Carlos Aguiar Retes, Mexico
Archbishop John Ribat, Papua Nuova Guinea
Archbishop Mons. Joseph William Tobin U.S.A.
Archbishop Anthony Soter Fernandez, Archbishop Emeritus of Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Archbishop Renato Corti, Archbishop Emeritus of Novara Italy
Archbishop Sebastian Koto Khoarai, Bishop Emeritus of Mohale’s Hoek Lesotho
Father Ernest Simoni, presbytery of the Archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult, Scutari – Albania.
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