The Penang Catholic Diocese in Malaysia celebrated the creation of Bishop Sebastian Francis as a Cardinal by the Vatican with a Thanksgiving Eucharist on January 14.
The bishop of Penang is one of 21 cardinals who received their biretta from Pope Francis. He is enthusiastic about a youthful reality that is a source of hope for the mission. Relations with Muslims are marked by trust and fraternity. He will bring to the synod the voice of Asian families and their contribution to the future.
Pope Francis presided over the Consistory for the creation of 21 new Cardinals in St Peter s Square on Saturday. During his homily The Holy Father reflected on the unity and diversity in the Church, highlighting the importance of synodality under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the "ma.
In his ninth consistory, Francis created 21 new cardinals, three from Asia: Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong, Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang (Malaysia), and Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem. Tonight an ecumenical vigil will be held with young people and the heads of other Christian confessions ahead of the Synod that opens next Wednesday.
The traditional threefold concept of the Catholic Church involving the clergy, religious, and the laity has served the faithful for a long time. But for a Malaysian bishop, the upcoming Synod of Bishops may be leading us in a new direction to build “a Church of disciples.”