Fernandez is first Malaysian to be appointed cardinal

Honoured: Fernandez (right) with Archbishop Emeritus Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will have its first Roman Catholic cardinal next month.

Rev Archbishop Anthony Soter Fernandez, the former head of the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese, was among the 17 prelates named by Pope Francis yesterday to be elevated to the second highest rank within the Roman Catholic hierarchy.