Cardinal Electors under 80

1 - Archbishop Robert Prevost, American, Vatican official, head of the Dicastery for Bishops
2 - Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, Italian, Vatican official, head of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches
3 - Archbishop Víctor Fernández, Argentine, Vatican official, head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
4 - Archbishop Emil Tscherrig, Swiss, Vatican ambassador to Italy
5 - Archbishop Christophe Pierre, French, Vatican ambassador to the United States
6 - Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Italian, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
7 - Archbishop Stephen Brislin, South African, Archbishop of Cape Town
8 - Archbishop Ángel Rossi, Argentine, Archbishop of Córdoba
9 - Archbishop Luis Aparicio, Colombian, Archbishop of Bogotá
10 - Archbishop Grzegorz Ryś, Polish, Archbishop of Lodz
11 - Archbishop Stephen Mulla, Sudanese, Archbishop of Juba, South Sudan
12 - Archbishop José Cano, Spanish, Archbishop of Madrid
13 - Archbishop Protase Rugambwa, Tanzanian, Archbishop of Tabora
14 - Bishop Sebastian Francis, Malaysian, Bishop of Penang
15 - Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-Yan, Bishop of Hong Kong
16 - Archbishop François-Xavier Bustillo, Spanish-French, Bishop of Ajaccio, Corsica.
17 - Bishop Américo Alves Aguiar, Portuguese, Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon
18 - Father Ángel Fernández Artime, Spanish, head of the Salesian order

Source: Vatican News

"I am surprised and amazed by an unexpected moment of grace, Cardinal-elect Marengo said.

"I believe that the pope's gesture was a missionary gesture, to express attention and care to a small community and to all the small communities of faithful scattered throughout the world, in those lands where they are a small flock."

The Consolata missionary, who has been leading the Mongolian Church since 2 April 2020, turns 48 in June.

Marengo's elevation to cardinal makes him the youngest member of the Church's prestigious College of Cardinals.

Sister Tireza Gabriel Usamo, an Ethiopian Consolata nun serving in Mongolia since 2018, said she was surprised by the appointment.

"He is a gift for the Mongolian Catholic Church.

"Since becoming a bishop two years ago, he has played an important role in strengthening the church as its leader. He has made good attempts to improve relationship with the government and to promote inter-religious dialogue," Sister Usamo told UCA News.

The religious sister pointed out that, as part of his efforts to promote harmony, Bishop Marengo recently visited the pope in Rome with a delegation of Catholics and Buddhists.

"When I heard it first, I said 'whoo!' What does it mean for the Church of Mongolia to have a cardinal? What is God's will? What does the pope want for this church?" Father Tin Nguyen told UCA News.

The Vietnamese priest said this appointment brings immense joy for the tiny church as it prepares to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its revival.

He said the church in the "land of Genghis Khan" is small with about 1,400 Christians in eight parishes. The church has a very vibrant life thanks to the services of 66 foreign missionaries (25 priests, 34 nuns, three brothers and three lay missionaries) from 26 countries and only two native Mongolian priests.

Father Nguyen said he loves Pope Francis' vision of "not leaving anyone behind."

"Even though our church is small, he recognises it, and he wants to hear from us, from everyone afar. He gives us a chair at the table to sit beside him, to be with him closer and to assist him to govern the universal Church. This is wonderful for the little flock here."

"Missionaries face many difficulties. They are not looking for honour or respect, but they do not have real peace, happiness and freedom to work. The government is so demanding, controlling, checking and taxing. Our voice, our presence is not seen or heard," he explained.

Pope Francis named 21 new cardinals on May 29.

The new cardinals will receive their red hats at the next consistory in the Vatican on August 27. Marengo is one of six new cardinals from Asia.

Sources

UCA News

Agenzia Fides

The only US bishop named is Robert W McElroy (68), bishop of San Diego, California, who is considered one of Francis's ideological allies.

Known often to spar with more conservative US bishops, McElroy is outspoken about the campaign to exclude Catholic politicians who support abortion rights from Communion.

"It will bring tremendously destructive consequences," McElroy says.

"The Eucharist is being weaponised and deployed as a tool in political warfare. This must not happen."

McElroy questions why the US bishops' conference insisted on identifying abortion as its "preeminent" priority.

Other issues like LGBTQ youth suicide, racism, poverty, immigration and climate change also need attention, he says.

"The death toll from abortion is more immediate, but the long-term death toll from unchecked climate change is larger and threatens the very future of humanity."

Last year, he was among a small group of bishops signing a statement expressing support for LGBTQ youth and denouncing the bullying often directed at them.

The bishops' statement said LGBTQ youth attempt suicide at much higher rates, are often homeless because of families who reject them and "are the target of violent acts at alarming rates".

"We take this opportunity to say to our LGBT friends, especially young people, that we stand with you and oppose any form of violence, bullying or harassment directed at you," it read.

"Most of all, know that God created you, God loves you and God is on your side".

McElroy has a BA from Harvard University, a PhD in political science from Stanford University, a STL from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University and a STD in moral theology from the Gregorian University in Rome.

In selecting McElroy, Francis passed over the higher-ranking archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore Cordileone.

Earlier this month, Cordileone said he would no longer allow US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to receive Communion because of her support for abortion rights.

Cordilone has also recently instituted a traditional monthly Latin Mass.

A key function of a Cardinal is to elect a new pope and 16 of the 21 are under the age of 80 - the cutoff point for voting in a papal conclave.

Once Francis installs them in August, the total number of red hats eligible to vote will rise to 131. The number of cardinals too old to vote will rise to 96.

Among the diverse new group are two prelates from India and one each from Ghana, Nigeria, Singapore, East Timor, Paraguay and Brazil.

Their selection is in keeping with the pope's vision of a church with leaders who reflect its global face.

With 6 of the cardinals coming from Asia, Francis' selection also acknowledges the Church's steady growth in this region of the Church.

The 16 new cardinals under 80

• Jean-Marc Aveline, France
• Peter Okpaleke, Nigeria
• Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, Brazil
• Filipe Neri Antonio Sebastao di Rosario Ferrao, India
• Robert Walter McElroy, United States
• Virgilio Do Carmo Da Silva, East Timor
• Oscar Cantoni, Italy
• Anthony Poola, India
• Paulo Cezar Costa, Brazil
• Richard Kuuia Baawobr, Ghana
• William Goh Seng Chye, Singapore
• Adalberto Martinez Flores, Paraquay
• Giorgio Marengo, Mongolia
• Arthur Roche of Britain, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments
• Lazzarro You Heung-sik of South Korea, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy
• Fernando Vergez Alzaga of Spain, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and president of the Vatican City State's Governorate

The five new cardinals over 80

• Jorge Enrique Jimenez Carvajal, Colombia
• Lucas Van Looy, Belgium
• Arrigo Miglio, Sardinia
• Rev. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, Jesuit professor of theology
• Fortunato Frezza, canon of St Peter's Basilica.

Sources

• Reuters
• LA Times

Francis made the comments in his homily at the consistory Mass at St Peter's Basilica last Saturday.

All 13 of the new cardinals share Francis's pastoral concerns at a time when conservatives within the College of Cardinals are putting pressure on his ministry.

Warning the new cardinals to be aware of and avoid disloyalty in the Church, Francis explained his views on its causes.

It is rooted in a lack of compassion and indifference, he said.

Without a "lively awareness" of God's compassion, disloyalty to "our own ministry" seeps in.

Francis's challenges to the new cardinals are said to be unusual given the oath of loyalty and obedience cardinals make to the pope.

Unusual or not, pope emeritus Benedict echoed his words when the new cardinals went to him for his blessing after the Mass.

According to a Vatican statement, Benedict reminded them of the "value of fidelity to the Pope".

The new cardinals and the future of the church

As 10 of the 13 new cardinals are under 80, they will be eligible to vote in a conclave.

Their promotion brings the proportion of voting-age cardinals Francis has named to 52 per cent.

His choice of cardinals reflects his desire to mirror the universal face of the Church in its leadership ranks and to elevate the work of missionaries and of religious life.

Of the new cardinals, many are from churches in the developing world that have never had a "prince" representing them. Eight belong to religious orders.

They are described as are churchmen who care for migrants, promote dialogue with Muslims and minister to the faithful in poor, far-flung missionary posts.

The new cardinals are:

• Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot MCCJ (b.1952)
• José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça (b.1965)
• Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo (b.1950)
• Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez (b1.1948)
• Fridolin Ambongo Besungu OFM Cap (b.1960)
• Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ (b.1958)
• Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri (b.1947)
• Matteo Maria Zuppi (b.1955)
• Cristóbal López Romero SDB (b.1952)
• Michael Czerny SJ (b.1946)
• Michael Louis Fitzgerald M Afr (b.1937)
• Sigitas Tamkevicius SJ (b.1938)
• Eugenio Dal Corso PSDP (b.1939).

Source

• The Tablet
• CTV News
• Crux Now
• Catholic Herald
• Image: Crux Now

The cardinals-elect will be installed at next month's consistory.

Many of those the pope named have reputations as progressives on social issues such as immigration and share his support of dialogue with non-Christians.

Several come from poor or developing nations, places Francis calls the periphery of the Church and which he feels deserve more attention.

"Their origin expresses the missionary vocation of the Church, which continues to proclaim the merciful love of God to all people on earth," Francis says.

The cardinals-elect are:

• Canadian Jesuit Fr Michael Czerny, the head of the Migrants and Refugees section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. His selection reflects Francis's defence of immigrants
• Spanish Archbishop Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, prefect of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, whose selection reflect the significance Francis attaches to relations with Islam
• Portuguese Archbishop José Tolentino Mendonca, librarian of the Holy Roman Church
• Democratic Republic of Congo - Archbishop Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of Kinshasa
• Morocco - Archbishop Cristobal Lopez Romero of Rabat - another whose selection reflects Francis's strong relations with Islam
• Indonesia - Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta - yet another whose selection reflect Francis's strong relations with Islam
• Cuba - Archbishop Juan de la Caridad Garcia Rodriguez of Havana
• Archbishop Jean Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, who has taken strong stands against Europe's populist leaders, saying they are fomenting fear of migrants and Muslims
• Matteo Zuppi of Bologna who opened the doors of the basilica for the homeless to sleep inside on cold winter nights
• Archbishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald, emeritus of Nepte in Tunisia and former president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
• Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevicius, emeritus of Kaunas in Lithuania, who was arrested and persecuted under the Soviet regime
• Bishop Eugenio Dal Corso, emeritus of Benguela in Angola, where he was a missionary

Francis's aim to give the prestigious and influential rank of "Cardinal" to priests from poor or developing nations is moving the make-up of the College of Cardinals away from Europe to Africa, Asia and Latin America.

In doing so, he is increasing the possibility that his successor also will be a non-European.

Source

• CBC
• CNA
• Reuters
• Image: Catholic World Report

The number attending the celebration was variously reported to be to 1000 and 20,000 and people from other mainline churches.

Government and diplomatic heads and friends from the Diocese of Townsville, Australia also at the event.

As he walked up the red carpet laid out to welcome him, Ribat was accompanied by the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Kurian Mathew Vayalunkal and 49 priests.

The four-hour-long celebration included the celebration of the Eucharist, contributions from the various dioceses, a combined male and female choir, speeches by the various dignitaries and church leaders and representatives.

About 28 lay church workers from 9 parishes received awards in recognition of their commitment and contribution towards building the archdiocese.

Ribat called for unity and cooperation in building the church and the country as well.

"Today we are uniting to build the church in all areas in cooperation with our sister churches, the government and others."

He also acknowledged the work and sacrifices made by the early missionaries who came and planted the faith.

Ribat said Port Moresby Archdiocese was a young diocese. It has been part of the Bereina Diocese until 1966. It has had only 5 bishops.

The nuncio Archbishop Kurian congratulated Ribat whom he referred to as "a simple and humble person", for his contribution in the work and development of the church in Port Moresby and the country.

He said that the appointment of Cardinal Ribat is a sign by Pope Francis of his love for Papua New Guinea the people and the church, and recognition of the work of the church in this part of the world.

Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio thanked the new cardinal for his working relationship with the Government.

"I admire the work of this new cardinal. He has been vocal on issues and we will work alongside him," Ogio said.

Source

• wantokniuspepa.com
• www.emtv.com.pg
• Image: emtv.com.pg

"But that for the moment this is what they all have to live with as they push towards full Christian Unity." he added

He was speaking on Vatican radio in an interview with Linda Bordoni while in Rome to receive his red cardinal's hat.

Ribat said full Christian unity is a "pathway that leads to lasting peace and friendship especially at this moment in history which is seeing so many divisions and conflicts."

He talked about his personal, very deep, experience of dialogue and sharing with other communions as he comes from a family where many of his relatives are from the Methodist tradition.

Ribat suggested that perhaps his ecumenical commitment is one of the reasons Pope Francis chose him to be part of the College of Cardinals.

Ribat is the chairman of the ecumenical movement in Papua New Guinea - to promote ecumenical dialogue in a region where a large percentage of the faithful belong to protestant denominations.

"While we are saying that the Catholic Church is the mother church, then we have to be true to our name and embrace all" he says.

Regarding other issues that he feels are particular challenges he is called to address, the cardinal spoke of the relationship his Bishops' Conference has with Muslims - who are a minority in his geographical area - but whom have been invited to share their concerns with representatives of other faiths in this very difficult time.

Listen to interview

Source

• radiovaticanican.va
• Image: the-star.co.ke

Father Ernest Simoni is the only non-bishop on the list of 17 who will receive the red hat in November.

Tortured and imprisoned at the time of the Communist persecution, his testimony moved Pope Francis to tears during the apostolic visit to Tirana in 2014.

More than 80 years old, Cardinal Simoni will be a non-elector in case of a Conclave.

On announcing his name yesterday, Sunday, October 9, the Pope specified that he chose "a priest who rendered a clear Christian testimony."

During Vespers in the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Tirana on November 21, 2014, in the presence of Pope Francis, Father Simoni — who will celebrate his 88th birthday on October 18 — recounted his arrest in 1963, after eight years of priesthood.

Beaten and tortured because he proclaimed Christ, he spent years in prison and in forced labour until the collapse of the regime in 1990. Becoming the Spiritual Father of numerous prisoners, he celebrated Mass in Latin by heart, distributed Communion and heard confessions secretly. He wrote on the wall of his cell: "Jesus is my life."

"Today we have touched martyrs," said Pope Francis after his testimony and that of a woman religious: "With this simplicity, they suffered very much physically, psychically, with the anguish of uncertainty, not knowing if they would be shot or not, and they lived with this anguish. The Lord consoled them. (…) He consoles in the depth of the heart and by His strength."

Pope Francis saw this elderly priest again during a General Audience last April: he then kissed his hands in sign of respect. Continue reading

Sources

• Zenit article by Anita Bourdin, a journalist accredited to the Holy See press office since 1995.
• Image: Daughters of St Paul

O'Neill said the elevation of Ribat to Cardinal on November 19 will be a time of national pride.

"We congratulate Sir John and again thank him for the work he has undertaken that led him to such a high position in the Catholic Church.

"Cardinal Ribat will continue to provide spiritual guidance and direction, as he has done through his life, but now to a much larger flock.

"His new role is an enormous undertaking and will change the lives of so many around the world."

O'Neill said he anticipates the nation will unite in prayer when the ceremony takes place to elevate Sir John to his new position, and he looks forward to the new Cardinal being welcomed home.

"November 19 will be a proud day when the Sir John is elevated to his new position in the Church," the prime minister said.

"We look forward to the next opportunity when Cardinal Ribat is able to celebrate Mass in Papua New Guinea.

"I hope we can have a series of large outdoor services that will bring our people together in prayer."

"Our new Cardinal is an example of what can be achieved through commitment and dedication."

"I congratulate Sir John Ribat, our first Cardinal, for the his good work and for the confidence that his Holiness the Pope, has shown in his character and devotion."

Speaking about his appointment Ribat says Pope Francis is trying to get Christians to see the church in a new way.

"The church is for the poor, that's how he sees it and that's I think what's in his mind and how he wants to show it, not only to the traditional places but even to reach out to the small, small places."

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• pm.gov.pg
• Image: portmoresby.anglican.org

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.

Source

• en.radiovaticana.va
• americamagazine.org
• ncronline.org
• arklatexhomepage.co
• Image: religionnews.com

Ribat said the appointment came as a surprise as he never thought nor dreamt of it.

"If it is the will of God, then may he give me his grace and strength to fulfil this course and carry out this responsibility."

"I am grateful to accept this call and this appointment may come as personal but it is really for the Church and for our people of PNG."

"It is a great witness to the call of God to all of us Christians and it is a blessing for the Church and for our nation," said Ribat.

New Zealand's Cardinal John Dew said, "I, and I'm sure my brother bishops here in New Zealand and throughout Oceania will be, am delighted to have heard the news overnight of Archbishop Ribat's appointment.

"It's wonderful for the people of Papua New Guinea, their first ever Cardinal, within which there is a significant Catholic population, but it is also great news for the Pacific, and for the Church."

"He is currently serving as the President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops of Oceania, and his elevation is cause for celebration across all of Oceania," said Cardinal John."

"This news again shows Pope Francis' continued commitment to the Church throughout the world including the smaller nations in the geographical peripheries," he said.

"This is much more than a choice of geography though, Archbishop Sir John Ribat is a humble, pastoral and committed leader in his country and the wider Oceania region, and this is acknowledgment of that and a call to further serve the global Church."

"I believe the global Church will benefit from the contribution of the Church in Oceania, despite our geographical distance from the rest of the world."

Ribat joined the Congregation of the Sacred Heart Missionaries and was ordained 1 December 1985.

He was appointed as the auxiliary Bishop of Bereina in PNG in 2000 and became the bishop there in 2002.

In 2007 he was made coadjutor bishop of Port Moresby and in 2008 and became Archbishop on the retirement of Archbishop Brian Barnes in 2008.

Earlier this year Ribat was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2014 The Archdiocese of Port Moresby had a Catholic population of 205,354, 32.6% of the total population.

There were 19 parishes, 65 priests (7 diocesan, 58 religious), 324 lay religious (223 brothers, 101 sisters), 2 seminarians.

Source

• Supplied NZCBC
• looptonga.com
• Image: images.bistum-hildesheim.de

Mafi was responding to a question asked by many Tongans when news about his elevation broke in the kingdom: How did the tiny Pacific Tongan diocese in the Pacific come to be recognised like this by the Vatican?

The cardinal said while he was trying to come to terms with the news of his elevation he remembered how his mother ‘Onevao wrote to him while he was in the seminary in Fiji. He said she always addressed him by his christened name, with the salutation, "Siʻi Soane Patita."

Siʻi, a Tongan definitive article, carries a sense of emotion in Tongan when added to the name.

Soane Patita is the Catholic name for John the Baptist in Tongan.

Cardinal Mafi said John the Baptist was a very humble prophet who told Jesus he was unworthy to tie the straps of his sandals.

He was speaking at the ceremony of haʻunga, a Tongan presentation of pigs and kava as well and mats and ngatu to show appreciation for what has been achieved.

At the Haʻunga Kula, the Cardinal's Herald (he speaks on behalf of the Cardinal), recalled how he felt nervous when they arrived in the Vatican.

He said the novelty of the atmosphere hugely impressed him and made him ask how on earth this had happened.

Kula said the other cardinals who were elevated with Mafi were from well-known countries of the world.

He said his anxiety was propelled by the fact the MC of the day at the Vatican asked in front of the audience where Tonga was.

Then, using poetical languages, he said he came to realise that this was a religious event which was not based on worldly ideas and physicality but on Christian morals and ethics where everyone was the same in the eyes of God.

Source

• nzkanivapacific.co.nz
• Image: nzkanivapacific.co.nz

An open invitation has been made to anyone who wishes to attend.

The Evening Prayer of the church will be prayed and light refreshments will follow.

Cardinal John said he had been surprised by the level of interest in his appointment as New Zealand's fourth cardinal, and the first to be inducted in 32 years.

Since returning home media have been reporting on his activities.

The Dominion Post reporter noted that being a cardinal does not protect you from the tribulations that affect ordinary mortals.

Cardinal John arrived back in Wellington without his luggage - including scarlet cardinal's soutane.

It had gone astray after his plane out of Rome was delayed, causing him to miss his connecting flight from London.

"I got them back late Friday night,"

Last week when Cardinal John turned the first sod to mark the beginning of the building of a new gymnasium at Bishop Viard College, he was wearing a much less impressive black soutane with scarlet piping and buttons!

On the weekend he was in the Wairarapa to celebrate the first mass of the newly established Wairarapa Parish and to open a new Gymnasium name after him at the secondary school he attended in Masterton.

Cardinal John said it was his "great delight" that one of his first official duties as a new cardinal was to open the gymnasium.

He joked how he "just scraped through" School Certificate at St Joseph's, after his elder sister passed handsomely.

He said his father had remonstrated with him, saying if he had spend less time playing sport, he would have done better.

"If we had had this facility, I'm sure I would have done worse."

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Wairarapa Times-Age
• Image: Stuff.co.nz

Vatican Insider described the scene after the ceremony:

"Tonga's first Cardinal was, "Surrounded by faithful and relatives who have formed a chorus and are singing a traditional song at the top of their voices."

"There is about 30 of them and they are wearing a traditional oversized white shirt with necklaces made of red stones."

"They stand out because hanging from their necks is a photo taken about 20 years or so ago of the new cardinal surrounded, in shirtsleeves, by a large number of brothers and sisters."

Just before the solemn celebration in St Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Mafi sat down with Philippa Hitchen to talk about the strong Christian faith in his country and about why the King and Queen of Tonga were also present to celebrate with him at Saturday's Consistory.

Asked what the Church in Tonga can offer to the universal Church, the cardinal talks about the simplicity of lifestyle and the sense of God in peoples' lives.

Also he says families ties are still strong and there is a respect for the elders in society.

Mafi said he met the King and Queen of Tonga for a regular New Year greeting on January 1st and learnt that they were planning a trip to Rome in February.

When he heard the news that he had been appointed a member of the College of Cardinals, he realised that the consistory would take place during the same time as their visit, thus they were able to share in the joy and celebration for all the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.

• Listen to interview
• More photographs

Source

• Vatican Radio
• Vatican Insider
• Image: Reuters/Vatican Radio

Dew, the Archbishop of Wellington, and current President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference was the fourth to kneel before Pope Francis as he placed the Cardinals ring on his finger and a biretta (a red hat worn by Cardinals) on his head and declared him a Cardinal.

Speaking after the the consistory Dew said he reflected on the role he is to undertake.

"Since the announcement in early January I have been thinking of what it means for the Archdiocese, New Zealand and the Oceania region."

"Being here, I am convinced that we in Oceania have much to offer the wider Church. Just as the Church has much to offer us."

"Being on the periphery does not mean having nothing to offer - just think of all the saints who were offside with conventional wisdom or practice of the time!"

• See more photographs on Archdiocese of Wellington Facebook page.
• Watch video of Consistory on Youtube

Pope Francis, in his address to the new Cardinals, said "The cardinalate is certainly an honour, but it is not honorific."

"This we already know from its name - "cardinal" - from the word 'cardo', a hinge."

"As such it is not a kind of accessory, a decoration, like an honorary title. Rather, it is a pivot, a point of support and movement essential for the life of the community."

"You are "hinges" and are "incardinated" in the Church of Rome, which "presides over the entire assembly of charity."

The Holy Father went on to say to the new Cardinals, who now become advisers to the Pope, that "The greater our responsibility in serving the Church, the more our hearts must expand according to the measure of the heart of Christ."

The scarlet red colour worn by Cardinals signifies their willingness to act with courage even to ‘shedding their blood' to the point of death for the faith.

Source

• Supplied - New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference
• Cardinal John Dew Facebook
• Archdiocese of Wellington Facebook
• Image: AFP/Radio New Zealand

Digi TV will carry the event live.

Coverage of the consistory will begin at 11pm on February 14.

The Mass with the Pope and the new cardinals will begin at 10pm on February 15

Mafi is Tonga's first ever Cardinal.

At 53 he will become the youngest member of the College of Cardinals and will be able to vote in the election of new Popes until 2042.

Mafi describes the role as another level of calling and says he is preparing for a lot of travel to Rome.

"It's a challenge certainly and to me it's an opportunity too - to learn and work together with others within the Cardinal Council. Yes, it is a heavy responsibility."

Tonga's King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u will also be in Rome this coming weekend.

It is understood that the Queen may attend the ceremonies for the Cardinals.

The King is there to make an address at the 38^th Session of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Governing Council on Monday.

Cardinal Mafi is expected to return to Nuku'alofa on February 26.

The Catholic Church is planning to celebrate with traditional feasting and dancing in Nuku'alofa.

The celebration will be held off till after Lent and will take place on April 11.

Mafi was born in Tonga in 1961, and ordained a priest in June 1991.

He served in Church leadership roles in two Tonga parishes before enrolling in Loyola's pastoral counseling program in 1998.

He then returned to Tonga to become a parish priest in a village on the Tonga's largest island.

Later he served as a professor, trainer, and vice-rector at the Pacific Regional Seminar in Fiji.

He was appointed coadjutor bishop of Tonga in June 2007 and became the country's lone bishop in April 2008.

Source

• Tonga Daily News
• Matagi Tonga
• Loyola.edu
• Radio New Zealand International
• Image: Loyola.edu

In making his selection, the first of his pontificate, Pope Francis has chosen only 6 Europeans (including 4 Italians). Other cardinal electors come from, Latin American (5), African (2), Asia (2) and one from Canada.

Of the sixteen, five cardinals come from parts of the world that suffer from poverty, diseases, violence, natural disasters, and for whom life is a daily struggle.

Significantly, twelve of sixteen are residential bishops that currently govern a diocese.

It is considered traditional that the heads of the nine major Italian dioceses should be cardinals, however Pope Francis has further surprised in by-passing the Turin and Venice archdioceses.

Instead of Turin and Venice, he has given a red hat to the archbishop of Perugia, Gualtiero Bassetti, vice president of the Italian bishop's conference.

A pastoral bishop, Archbishop Bassetti is considered meek and prayerful man, the qualities the Pope likes in a bishop and whom, recently, he appointed to the Congregation of Bishops

In keeping the European electors to a minimum Pope Francis 'had' to appoint four who hold senior positions in the Vatican; Parolin (Secretary of State), Baldisseri (Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops), Muller (Head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith), and Stella (Head of the Congregation for Clergy).

The other European is Archbishop Nichols of Westminster (England), who like Bassetti was recently appointed to the Congregation for Bishops.

After making the announcement, Pope Francis wrote to each new cardinal reminding them the position should not be seen as a promotion and that it is neither an honour nor a decoration.

He reminded the new cardinals of their role of service, one that requires them to look further and to love more universally and with greater intensity than before.

Pope Francis asked the cardinals to receive the designation with a simple and contrite heart.

Those under 80 years old and eligible to enter a conclave to elect the next pope are:

• Pietro Parolin, Titular Archbishop of Acquapendente, Secretary of State
• Lorenzo Baldisseri, Titular Archbishop of Diocleziana, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.
• Gerhard Ludwig Műller, Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Regensburg, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
• Beniamino Stella, Titular Archbishop of Midila, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy.
• Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster (Great Britain).
• Leopoldo Jose Brenes Solorzano, Archbishop of Managua (Nicaragua).
• Gerald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec (Canada).
• Jean-Pierre Kutwa, Archbishop of Abidjan (Ivory Coast).
• Orani Joao Tempesta, O.Cist., Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
• Gualtiero Bassetti, Archbishop of Perugia-Citta della Pieve (Italy).
• Mario Aurelio Poli, Archbishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina).
• Andrew Yeom Soo jung, Archbishop of Seoul (Korea).
• Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, S.D.B., Archbishop of Santiago del Cile (Chile).
• Philippe Nakellentuba Ouedraogo, Archbishop of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).
• Orlando B. Quevedo, O.M.I., Archbishop of Cotabato (Philippines).
• Chibly Langlois, Bishop of Les Cayes (Haiti).

Those over 80 and therefore are not eligible to elect a new pope:

• Loris Francesco Capovilla, Titular Archbishop of Mesembria.
• Fernando Sebastian Aguilar, C.M.F., Archbishop emeritus of Pamplona.
• Kelvin Edward Felix, Archbishop emeritus of Castries.

Sources

• Clerical Whispers
• Vatican
• Vatican Insider

The Rome-based French religious agency I-Media says the consistory will be on February 21 and 22, following a two-day meeting of the Pope with the entire College of Cardinals to discuss his plans for Vatican reforms.

The consistory will give Pope Francis the opportunity to show his criteria for the selection of cardinals.

A commentary on the Catholic Culture website suggests that the Pope, who has shown a strong preference for decentralisation of Church authority, may choose to name the leaders of major archdioceses, rather than Vatican officials, for most of the available spots in the College of Cardinals.

Pope Paul VI set a limit of 120 cardinals eligible to vote in a conclave. By February 2014 there will be 14 vacancies that could be filled by new cardinal electors below the age of 80.

There are three prelates in the Roman Curia who are not cardinals: the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller; the new prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, Archbishop Beniamino Stella; and the new Secretary of State, Archbishop Pietro Parolin.

All three are expected to receive a red hat in the next consistory.

By the time the consistory is held, the eight-member council of cardinals appointed by Pope Francis to look into Curia reform will already have met three times.

A month after the consistory, the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family will be held.

There were 117 cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave that elected Pope Francis, but only actually 115 voted after Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien — accused of abuse — chose not to attend the conclave and Indonesian Cardinal Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadj resigned.

Sources:

Vatican Insider

Vatican Insider

Catholic Culture

Image: Whispers in the Loggia

"I want to highlight in particular the fact that the Church is the Church of all peoples, so she speaks in the various cultures of the different continents," the Pope said during the hour-long service in St Peter's Basilica, Rome.

"Amid the polyphony of the various voices, she raises a single harmonious song to the living God."

He added: "What makes the Church catholic is the fact that Christ in his saving mission embraces all humanity."

The six new cardinals from four different continents represented two Eastern Catholic Churches as well as the Latin rite.

They were: United States Archbishop James M. Harvey, 63, former prefect of the papal household; Lebanon's Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai, 72; Indian Archbishop Baselio Cleemis Thottunkal, 53, head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church; Nigerian Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, 68, of Abuja; Colombian Archbishop Ruben Salazar Gomez, 70, of Bogota; and Philippine Archbishop Luis Tagle, 55, of Manila.

The new Eastern Catholic cardinals received modified versions of the biretta, consistent with the distinctive clerical garb of their churches. Cardinal Rai received the turban-like Maronite tabieh, and Cardinal Cleemis a head covering in a shape reminiscent of an onion dome.

The consistory increased the College of Cardinals to 211 members, 120 of whom are under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope.

Though fewer than 24 per cent of the world's Catholic live in Europe, 52 per cent of the voting cardinals still come from that continent, with 23 per cent from Italy.

Sources:

Catholic News Service

Catholic News Agency

Vatican Information Service

Image: The Hindu

The new cardinals include 63-year-old U.S. Archbishop James M. Harvey, prefect of the papal household; Lebanon's Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai, 72; Archbishop Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, 53, head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church; Nigerian Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, 68; Colombian Archbishop Ruben Salazar Gomez of Bogota, 70; and Philippine Archbishop Luis Tagle of Manila, 55.

The pope made the announcement at the end of his weekly general audience, which was attended by about 20,000 pilgrims.

Pope Benedict said he had the "great joy" of announcing new cardinals, adding that cardinals have "the task of helping the successor of Peter in his ministry" of strengthening people's faith and promoting the unity of the church.

The pope asked Catholics to pray that the new cardinals would "always love Christ and his church with courage and dedication."

Of the six soon-to-be cardinals, only Cardinal-designates Harvey and Salazar were not members of the world Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization, which was meeting at the Vatican when the pope made his announcement.

The late-November consistory will bring the total number of cardinals to 211 and the number of cardinals under age 80 to 120. Until they reach their 80th birthdays, cardinals are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope.

Pope Paul VI limited the number of cardinal-electors to 120. After the Nov. 1 birthday of Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze and the Nov. 23 birthday of Italian Cardinal Renato Martino, there will be six vacancies.

Sources

• Catholic News Service
• AP/The Washington Post
• Image: CNS