Francis: a 'pastor of hope' for Malaysian Catholics
The 74-year-old bishop of Penang was born into an ethnic Indian family. He trained at the historic College of Martyrs whose legacy he feels. He leads a vibrant and multicultural Church with indigenous and migrant communities from different backgrounds. At the synod, he pointed to the horizon of a Church that truly “walks with the people”.
Penang (AsiaNews) – In the historic heart of Penang, a quiet yet significant transformation has been unfolding under the leadership of Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang and one of the Catholic Church’s newest cardinals.
Born in Johor Baru in 1951 to a Malaysian Indian family, Cardinal Francis has devoted nearly five decades to priestly ministry. Ordained in 1977, he served in a range of pastoral, administrative, and academic roles before being appointed Bishop of Penang by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
His episcopal motto, Christus spes gloriae — Christ the hope of glory, continues to shape his pastoral vision for a diverse and evolving diocese.
In September 2023, Pope Francis elevated him to the College of Cardinals, making him Malaysia’s second-ever cardinal after the late Anthony Soter Fernandez. The appointment was widely seen as recognition of his steadfast commitment to building bridges in Malaysia’s multi-religious and multicultural society.
The Diocese of Penang, established in 1955, covers Malaysia’s northern states — Penang, Kedah, Perlis, northern Perak, and Kelantan — where Catholics form a small but vibrant minority among Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Taoist communities. With an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 members, the diocese mirrors Malaysia’s ethnic diversity, uniting Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, indigenous, and migrant communities under one pastoral umbrella.
At the helm of this dynamic diocese, Cardinal Francis has prioritised three key missions: fostering interfaith dialogue, empowering young people, and reaching out to the marginalized. Known for his accessibility and humility, he frequently makes pastoral visits to rural parishes, indigenous villages, and migrant centres, personally engaging with those on the peripheries.
His leadership style closely mirrors the broader vision of Pope Francis — a synodal Church that listens, accompanies, and serves.
During the 2023 Synod on Synodality at the Vatican, Cardinal Francis was an active voice advocating for greater inclusion, compassion, and a Church that truly "walks with the people."
Educated in Rome and in the United States, yet deeply rooted in the Malaysian context, Cardinal Francis brings both theological depth and pastoral sensitivity to his ministry. He remains a strong advocate for social justice, religious harmony, and the dignity of all peoples — values urgently needed in an increasingly divided world.
A formative chapter of his journey unfolded at College General in Penang, where he completed his priestly studies from 1971 to 1976. Founded over 360 years ago, College General is one of Asia’s oldest seminaries and holds a revered place in Church history.
Known as the College of Martyrs, it has been a cradle of saints and missionaries who gave their lives for the faith, particularly during periods of persecution in Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Before rising to global prominence, Cardinal Francis also served College General as a lecturer and educator from 1980 to 1997. To teach and train future priests at such an institution is no small honour.
His years there were marked by a steadfast commitment to the intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral formation of seminarians. He taught not only through words but also through the living example of his simplicity, compassion, and faithfulness.
Speaking to a Malaysian interviewer recently, Cardinal Francis reflected on his enduring bond with College General:
“My direct connection with College General spans over many years — first as a seminarian from 1971 to 1976, then again from 1980 to 1997 as a formator and lecturer, and continuing from 2012 to the present as Bishop of Penang and president of College General.
“I have been deeply influenced by the fact that this college, from my seminary days until now, is referred to as the ‘College of Martyrs’. The former students were martyred mostly in Vietnam, and two formators were martyred in Korea. We have a proud legacy of more than 50 martyrs who were trained and formed at College General.
“The martyrdom of these men has left a lasting and permanent impact on me — to know that I belong to an institution that has lasted for centuries, adapted across locations from Ayutthaya (Thailand), to India, and finally to Penang. It is deeply imprinted in me that so many of our brothers from College General surrendered their lives for the Gospel.”
As Malaysia’s northern flock looks to the future, Cardinal Sebastian Francis stands as a beacon of hope and steadfast leadership, carrying forward a mission of faith, dialogue, and service — the very heart of Christus spes gloriae.
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