Pleasant surprise: Francis, seen here at his official residence in Bell Road, George Town, says he was not consulted before Pope Francis announced his name as one of the 21 new cardinals. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The opinions of youths are of global significance today, says Catholic Cardinal-elect Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis.
He said he feels a special concern for the younger people.
“Asia is still a continent with one of the largest number of young people and we must keep it that way. Otherwise, we are a dying society,” he said.
Francis said that the young needed to be given a voice now.
“I am talking about them speaking up, touching on topics like the environment, politics and other pertinent issues.
“We must bring this consciousness to our mission,” he said when met at his official residence as Bishop of Penang in Bell Road here yesterday.
Francis revealed plans for a gathering of young Catholic leaders in a 2025 convention “led by the young with directions given by us, so that they too have a voice”.“We will focus on family, ecology, society and the church.
“I am sure our young people will have something to contribute towards these four areas.
“I am confident that our young people are ready to take over from people like me,” said the 71-year-old.
On being recently announced as one of the 21 new cardinals named by the Pope, the cardinal-elect said he was surprised as they were not consulted before the announcement was made.
“That is the beauty of it and I just have to say yes.
“Being part of the College of Cardinals, there are 121 of us who are eligible to vote in the conclave to elect the next Pope.
“That is a big focus when it comes to this office, that cardinals who are 80-years-old and below are eligible to vote.
“This is what draws attention to this role but basically most of the cardinals are bishops,” he said.
He said there was a “universal flavour” to the selection of cardinals these days, unlike in the past when they were predominantly Europeans.
“Now, they are well spread out over the seven continents.
“Asia has a fairly good representation in the College of Cardinals, from as small a country as Mongolia, to Malaysia and other neighbouring countries,” he said, adding that there were nine bishops in Malaysia including him.
Among the Malaysian bishops, Francis described a strong sense of the Malaysian identity shared by all.
“Though I may be the only cardinal among the nine of us, we speak with one voice,” he said.
Francis, who was born in Johor, found his calling at age 12 and joined the Juniorate of the Brothers of St. Gabriel in Singapore and resided with the Brothers in Community when he was 13, from 1964 to 1966.
He then joined St. Francis Xavier’s Minor Seminary in Singapore from 1967 to 1970.
In 1971, he enrolled in College General Major Seminary in Penang.
In 2012, he was appointed as Bishop of Penang.
As of June 2023, the College of Cardinals has 222 cardinals of which only 121 are eligible to vote in the conclave to elect a new Pope.
Pope Francis last week announced that he would elevate 21 churchmen to the high rank of cardinal including Francis.
The consistory for the creation of new cardinals from around the world will be held at the Vatican on Sept 30.
