Twenty-seven cardinal electors from Asia and Oceania will participate in the next Conclave, representing 20% of the College of Cardinals. Of these, 23 come from Asia (17%) and 4 from Oceania (3%). This growing presence reflects the dynamism of Catholic communities in these two vast and culturally diverse continents. Many of them cary out their ministry in minority contexts, which are often marked by social, cultural or religious tensions. The average age is 68. A young, missionary Church that is often silent but prophetic.
South Asia
There are four cardinals from India: Filipe Neri Ferrão (b. 1953), Archbishop of Goa and Damão, promoter of synodality and Christian identity within a pluralistic society; Anthony Poola (b. 1961), Archbishop of Hyderabad, the first Dalit cardinal in the history of the Indian Church; George Jacob Koovakad (1973) is a young prelate representing the face of the younger generation in the Church; Baselios Cleemis (1959) presides over the Syro-Malankara Church. He brings the richness of the Eastern Churches in India to the Conclave. Joseph Coutts (1945), Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi, from Pakistan, is known for his commitment to interreligious dialogue and the advancement of peace in a context marked by religious tensions. Charles Maung Bo (1948), Archbishop of Yangon in Myanmar, is the country’s first cardinal. He is renowned for his dedication to promoting reconciliation and the defence of human rights. Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij (1949), Archbishop Emeritus of Bangkok in Thailand, has focused his ministry on education, peace, and reconciliation. Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo (1950), Archbishop of Jakarta and Military Ordinary for Indonesia, is recognised for his commitment to promoting interreligious dialogue and social justice. Sebastian Francis (1951), Bishop of Penang, Malaysia, is dedicated to promoting interreligious dialogue and social harmony in a multi-religious society. From Sri Lanka, Albert Malcolm Ranjith (1947), Archbishop of Colombo, served as Apostolic Nuncio and Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship. He is renowned for his doctrinal rigour and dedication to religious liturgy.
East Asia
Japan is represented by Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda (1949), Archbishop of Osaka-Takamatsu, and by Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi (1958), President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan and President of Caritas Internationalis. Both prelates have been actively involved in the promotion of dialogue and Christian witness in a secularised environment.
The Philippines will be represented by three cardinals: Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle (born 1957), Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation and former Archbishop of Manila, is a leading figure on the global stage; Jose Fuerte Advincula (1952) is the Archbishop of Manila. He is known for his pastoral care of the poor and young people; Pablo Virgilio David (1959), Bishop of Kalookan, is recognised for his commitment to defending human rights and the dignity of the most vulnerable members of society.
Lazzaro You Heung-sik (1951) from South Korea is the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy. He represents a dynamic, missionary Church in a rapidly changing society.
South East Asia and China
William Seng Chye Goh (1957), Archbishop of Singapore, is deeply committed to promoting Christianity with deep roots in Asian culture. Virgilio do Carmo da Silva (1967) is the first cardinal of East Timor. He is at the helm of a young, popular, Church. Giorgio Marengo (1974), a Consolata missionary from Mongolia, is one of the youngest members of the College of Cardinals. He brings the voice of a nascent Church. Stephen Chow Sau-yan (1959) is a Jesuit bishop from mainland China and the bishop of Hong Kong. He was called to undertake a delicate mission of communion and discernment in a complex reality.
Near East
Louis Raphaël Sako (1948), from Iraq, Patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans, a witness to the faith against the backdrop of difficulties in the Middle Eastern country. Pierbattista Pizzaballa (1965) is the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, serving as the head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, known for his commitment to dialogue and reconciliation. Dominique Joseph Mathieu (1963), Archbishop of Tehran-Ispahan, is the first cardinal based in Iran. He is renowned for his dedication to interfaith dialogue and promoting peace in challenging circumstances.
Oceania
There are four cardinal electors from Oceania, a vast region home to a small yet vibrant Catholic community. John Ribat (1957), Archbishop of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and the country’s first cardinal, is renowned for his dedication to environmental protection and human rights. Soane Patita Paini Mafi (1961), Bishop of Tonga, is the youngest cardinal ever appointed from the archipelago. He represents a Church that is deeply rooted in the life of local communities. John Atcherley Dew (1948) is the Archbishop Emeritus of Wellington in New Zealand. He guided the Church in New Zealand for many years, promoting dialogue and theological education. Mykola Bychok (1980), Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in Australia, is the youngest member of the College of Cardinals. He bears witness to the vibrant presence of the Eastern Churches in the southern hemisphere. In an era of increasing secularisation, the cardinals of Oceania bring to the Conclave the experience of a Church close to geographical and human peripheries.