KUALA LUMPUR: Archbishop Emeritus of Kuala Lumpur Anthony Soter Fernandez was among 17 new cardinals named by Pope Francis in Vatican City on Sunday.
The 84-year-old is the first ever cardinal named from Malaysia. He was among the new cardinals appointed by the pope representing Asia, Africa, North and South America, Europe and Oceania.
Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Rev Julian Leow said the fact that Fernandez was appointed cardinal was an honour for the Catholic Church in Malaysia.
He said cardinals were generally chosen from countries which had a large Catholic population.
“Of late, however, Pope Francis has chosen cardinals from non-traditional countries (the ones with minority Catholic population),” he said.
He said the timing of the appointment of Malaysia’s first cardinal was perfect as the recently concluded Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention had decided that the church needed to be a greater ‘voice’ for the people.
Asked if he thought the appointment was due to Malaysia having recently established diplomatic ties with Vatican City, Leow said it was likely not.
“There are many countries with diplomatic ties with the Vatican but don’t have cardinals. This is likely more a recognition of the work (Cardinal-elect Fernandez) has done.”
Leow said this appointment would mean that the Catholic church here would ostensibly have a greater say in Rome.
He said Fernandez will likely travel to Rome next month for the consistory, where he will be installed officially as a cardinal.
The other new cardinals included three American archbishops and archbishops from Mauritius, Bangladesh, the Central African Republic, Italy, Brazil, Spain, Venezuela, Belgium, Albania, Papua New Guinea and Mexico.
According to the Vatican Radio, a consistory would be held on Nov 19, during which the pope will elevate the new cardinals.
However, Fernandez is among four new cardinals who will not be eligible to vote in a conclave as they are over 80 years old.