Several cardinal who received their red hats from Pope Francis this weekend emphasized the importance of serving the Church’s universal mission while addressing contemporary challenges facing their local Churches.
“I am with my heart, and I would say with my whole body, for a synodal vision, because already in my country in 2017, the vision of the Church was one of communion, serving everyone,” Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Abidjan told EWTN News on Dec. 6.
The Ivorian archbishop emphasized that his elevation reflects a broader recognition of the Church in Côte d’Ivoire.
“I think so, because personally I don’t feel so intellectual to receive the purple. It is the whole country that has had good relations with the Holy See, and then John Paul II went to Côte d’Ivoire three times,” he said.
Ukrainian voice on being chosen
At 44, Bishop Mykola Bychok, CSsR, is among the youngest members ever elevated to the College of Cardinals.
“First of all, this is not my fault. I was called, and I was appointed by the Holy Father Francis. Why I was chosen? I don’t know. Maybe in future God will open or show me what was the main reason that actually I was appointed at age 44.”
The Ukrainian bishop pledged to use his new position to continue raising awareness about the ongoing war in his homeland. “Right now, Ukraine is at war. We are fighting for our independence, for religious freedom — for three years since the official invasion of the Russian Federation,” he said.
“Every night, drones and missiles are flying to Ukraine. In the last few days, my native city Ternopil, which is 250 kilometers from the border with Poland, was under attack, especially power plants, as well as some civilian buildings. That is the reality of the war,” he added.
Vatican diplomat sees missionary focus
Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas shared insights from his years of diplomatic service across several continents, emphasizing the Church’s fundamental missionary character.
“In every country I saw that the Church is so different, but that we have same roots, and we have the same tasks to do, and the task is always to remain missionary, in one country or in another country, on one continent or on another,” the Lithuanian prelate told CNA.
Archbishop Fernando Chomali of Santiago, Chile, stressed the need for Church leadership to face contemporary challenges with spiritual strength.
“I was delighted, I sensed a very great awareness of the responsibility of being a cardinal and especially thinking about those people who need a strong voice,” Chomali said.
“I have to think above all about the poor, those who are very much in need of someone to support them. Also, I have to take care especially of the young people who don’t have much hope right now in a very cold society.”
The Chilean prelate also addressed his country’s recent challenges. “We have worked strongly to end all forms of abuse — at the level of the parishes, at the level of the schools, university level, at the level of the dioceses, at all levels,” he said.
Dominican friar reflects on fraternity
Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe connected his new role to Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti.
“I look forward really to being of service to him [the Holy Father] in whatever way I can. Right at the beginning, I really don’t know what this will involve,” the English Dominican said.
“I think for the Holy Father, his great encyclical Fratelli Tutti, all brothers and sisters, and I am a brother, so I hope as a brother of St. Dominic, I hope maybe I have some understanding, some little understanding of what it means to live fraternity today,” he said.
The consistory for the creation of new cardinals took place Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. The new cardinals concelebrated Mass with Pope Francis the following day, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency.
