APPOINTMENT OF FIRST MALAYSIAN CARDINAL

Cardinal-elect Fernandez, who celebrates his 50 anniversary of his priestly ordination this year, was born on 22 April 1932 and ordained a priest on 10 December 1966, He was ordained as Bishop for the Diocese of Penang on 17 February 1978 and later installed as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur on 10 November 1983. After serving as the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur for 20 years, he retired at the age of 71 on 24 May 2003.

Since his retirement, Cardinal-elect Fernandez continued to serve the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur and later was assigned as Spiritual Father to College General Major Seminary, Penang. Upon completing his term at the Major Seminary, he returned to the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur and continues to serve as Chaplain at the St Francis Xavier Home for the Elderly, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Pope Francis announced that he will hold a consistory of cardinals on 19 November 2016, the vigil of the close of the Jubilee of Mercy, during which he will elevate the 17 new cardinals.

Cardinal-elect Fernandez will be the first Malaysian cardinal and it is a great joy that Pope Francis has given the Malaysian Church this recognition and honoured us with this appointment.

Most Reverend Julian Leow Beng Kim, D.D.
President
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia

10 October 2016