# Fernando Chomali

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In this [Chilean name](/source/Chilean_name), the first or paternal [surname](/source/Surname) is *Chomali* and the second or maternal family name is *Garib*.

Chilean Catholic prelate (born 1957)

His Eminence Fernando Chomali Cardinal Metropolitan Archbishop of Santiago de Chile Chomali in 2025 Church Roman Catholic Church Archdiocese Santiago de Chile Province Santiago de Chile Metropolis Santiago de Chile Appointed 25 October 2023 Predecessor Celestino Aós Braco Other posts Cardinal-Priest of San Mauro Abate (2024–) Chancellor of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile Previous posts Auxiliary bishop of Santiago de Chile (2006–2011) Metropolitan Archbishop of Concepción (2011–2023) Orders Ordination 6 April 1991 by Carlos Oviedo Cavada Consecration 3 June 2006 by Aldo Cavalli, Ricardo Ezzati Andrell, and Cristián Contreras Villarroel Created cardinal 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis Rank Cardinal-Priest Personal details Born Fernando Natalio Chomali Garib (1957-03-10) 10 March 1957 (age 69) Santiago, Chile Occupation Archbishop, Prelate Alma mater Pontifical Catholic University of Chile Pontifical Gregorian University John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences Motto Mihi Vivere Christus Est Coat of arms

**Fernando Natalio Chomali Garib** (born 10 March 1957) is a [Chilean Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church_in_Chile) prelate who has served as [Archbishop of Santiago de Chile](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Santiago_de_Chile) since 2023. He was previously Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago de Chile from 2006 to 2011 and [Archbishop of Concepción](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Concepci%C3%B3n) from 2011 to 2023. He was made a [cardinal](/source/Cardinal_(Catholic_Church)) in 2024.

## Biography

Fernando Natalio Chomali Garib was born on 10 March 1957 in Santiago de Chile, one of five children born to Juan Chomali Celse and Vitalia Garib Aguad;[1] he has described himself as "a descendant of a [Palestinian](/source/Palestinians)".[2] He studied at the [Colegio de Alianza Francesa](/source/Lyc%C3%A9e_Antoine-de-Saint-Exup%C3%A9ry_de_Santiago) and the National Institute of Santiago.[1] He earned a degree in civil engineering at the [Pontifical Catholic University of Chile](/source/Pontifical_Catholic_University_of_Chile) in 1981[1] and then studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Major Seminary of Santiago beginning in 1984.[1] He was ordained a priest on 6 April 1991 by archbishop [Carlos Oviedo Cavada](/source/Carlos_Oviedo_Cavada).[3]

In Rome, he earned a licentiate in moral theology from the [Pontifical Alphonsian Academy](/source/Pontifical_Alphonsian_Academy) in 1993, a doctorate in theology from the [Pontifical Gregorian University](/source/Pontifical_Gregorian_University) in 1994, and a master's degree in bioethics from the [John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences](/source/John_Paul_II_Pontifical_Theological_Institute_for_Marriage_and_Family_Sciences) in 1998.[1] He has worked as a parish vicar, episcopal delegate for university pastoral care, professor of moral theology and bioethics in the Faculties of Theology and Medicine of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and in the Major Seminary of Santiago; as parish priest of Santa María de la Misericordia, moderator of the Curia and president delegate of the Economic Council of the archdiocese.[4]

He has been a member of the [Pontifical Academy for Life](/source/Pontifical_Academy_for_Life) since 2001.[5] From 2010 to 2012 he was a member of its steering committee.[6] His membership was most recently renewed in 2017.[7]

On 6 April 2006, [Pope Benedict XVI](/source/Pope_Benedict_XVI) appointed him titular bishop of [Noba](/source/Diocese_of_Noba) and auxiliary bishop of Santiago de Chile.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on 3 June[5] from [Aldo Cavalli](/source/Aldo_Cavalli), the apostolic nuncio to Chile.

### Archbishop of Concepción

On 20 April 2011, Pope Benedict promoted him as archbishop of Concepción.[5]

He served from March 2014[8] to March 2015 as apostolic administrator of the [Diocese of Osorno](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Osorno). In the final days of that assignment, he met with [Pope Francis](/source/Pope_Francis) and tried without success to impress upon him the impact his appointment of [Juan Barros](/source/Juan_Barros_Madrid) as Osorno's new bishop was having.[9] Chomali had long been friends with Juan Carlos Cruz, who was charging Barros with failure to protect him from sexual abuse.[10]

On 10 September 2018, in a pastoral letter on the sexual abuse crisis, he called for the Church to cooperate fully with civil authorities: "We must obey the law because we are not above the norms that govern the country." He regretted that Church had lost its reputation as "a voice for the voiceless" and had become "for a growing percentage of the population ... a cause of scandal, of profound questioning, of much distrust and little credibility". He decried the impact of clericalism and proposed separating the offices that handle complaints of abuse from other diocesan offices and new rules to create transparency for seminaries and church judicial proceedings.[11]

He became vice president of the [Episcopal Conference of Chile](/source/Episcopal_Conference_of_Chile) on 28 July 2021.[1] On 19 December 2021, following the election of [Gabriel Boric](/source/Gabriel_Boric) as the [president of Chile](/source/President_of_Chile), he hoped that the new president would value "the family as the place where people learn to grow", and that he would act decisively in favour of the most vulnerable and weak in society. He also encouraged the president-elect to promote employment, "because it is a privileged path to overcome the poverty that afflicts many Chileans."[12]

### Archbishop of Santiago

On 25 October 2023, Pope Francis named him Metropolitan Archbishop of Santiago.[4] He was installed there on 16 December.[13]

As archbishop, in December 2024, he re-authorised the celebration of the [Tridentine Mass](/source/Tridentine_Mass) in the archdiocese, after four years of having been prohibited by his predecessor.[14]

### Cardinalate

On 6 October 2024, Pope Francis announced that he planned to make Chomali a cardinal on 8 December,[15] a date that was later changed to 7 December.[16] Shortly after the announcement, he reacted on his [X](/source/Twitter) account: "I'm very excited. I hope to be a contribution to the Chilean Church.[17]

On 7 December 2024, Pope Francis made him a cardinal, assigning him as [Cardinal-Priest](/source/Cardinal-Priest) of [San Mauro Abate](/source/San_Mauro_Abate).[18]

He participated as a [cardinal elector](/source/Cardinal_electors_in_the_2025_papal_conclave) in the [2025 papal conclave](/source/2025_papal_conclave) that elected [Pope Leo XIV](/source/Pope_Leo_XIV).[19]

## Coat of arms

		- As auxiliary bishop

		- As archbishop

		- As cardinal

## See also

- [Catholic Church in Chile](/source/Catholic_Church_in_Chile)

- [Cardinals created by Pope Francis](/source/Cardinals_created_by_Pope_Francis)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-conbio_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-conbio_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-conbio_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-conbio_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-conbio_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-conbio_1-5) ["Monseñor Fernando Chomalí ha sido nombrado Arzobispo de Santiago"](https://iglesiadeconcepcion.cl/noticias/monsenor-fernando-chomali-ha-sido-nombrado-arzobispo-de-santiago/). *Conferencia Episcopal de Chile* (in Spanish). 25 October 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231025190125/https://iglesiadeconcepcion.cl/noticias/monsenor-fernando-chomali-ha-sido-nombrado-arzobispo-de-santiago/) from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Monseñor Fernando Chomalí pidió promover la paz en Medio Oriente"](https://www.iglesia.cl/detalle_noticia.php?id=19400). *Conferencia Episcopal de Chile* (in Spanish). 25 November 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-pr2006_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-pr2006_3-1) ["Rinunce e Nomine, 06.04.2006"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2006/04/06/0172/00509.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 6 April 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-vatbio_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-vatbio_4-1) ["Resignations and Appointments, 25.10.2023"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/10/25/321025d.html) (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-pr2011_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-pr2011_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-pr2011_5-2) ["Rinunce e Nomine, 20.04.2011"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2011/04/20/0229/00582.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Papa Francisco nombra a Fernando Chomalí Garib como nuevo arzobispo de Santiago: ¿Quién es?"](https://www.cnnchile.com/pais/papa-francisco-fernando-chomali-nuevo-arzobispo-santiago_20231025/). *CNN Chile* (in Spanish). 25 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["El Papa Francisco nombra 45 miembros para la Pontificia Academia para la Vida"](https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/65191/el-papa-francisco-nombra-45-miembros-para-la-pontificia-academia-para-la-vida) (in Spanish). ACI Prensa. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Mons. Fernando Chomalí será administrador apostólico de Osorno"](https://www.iglesia.cl/detalle_noticia.php?id=23558). *Conferencia Episcopal de Chile* (in Spanish). 7 March 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Bonnefoy, Pascale (21 March 2015). ["Angry Protest Over New Bishop in Chile"](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/world/americas/angry-protest-over-bishop-juan-barros-in-chile.html). *New York Times*. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Backlash Against Chilean Bishop Threatens Francis' Reform Agenda"](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/backlash-against-chilean_b_6955290/amp). Huffington Post. The GroundTruth Project. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Orocho Esteves, Junno (19 September 2018). ["When it comes to abuse, church isn't above the law, Chilean archbishop says"](https://www.ncronline.org/news/when-it-comes-abuse-church-isnt-above-law-chilean-archbishop-says). *National Catholic Reporter*. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Vargas, Giselle (22 December 2021). ["Archbishop Asks President-Elect Boric to Recognize Chile's 'Religious Soul'"](https://www.ncregister.com/cna/archbishop-asks-president-elect-boric-to-recognize-chiles-religious-soul). *National Catholic Register*. Retrieved 2021-12-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Rodríguez, Ariadna (16 December 2023). ["Monseñor Fernando Chomalí asume como nuevo arzobispo de Santiago"](https://www.latercera.com/nacional/noticia/monsenor-fernando-chomali-asume-como-nuevo-arzobispo-de-santiago/Z3QYNI6QBFAAVH6JIFOTDRINLQ/?outputType=amp). *La Tercera* (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Cardinal Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib"](https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-fernando-natalio-chomali-garib/). College of Cardinals Report.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Annuncio di Concistoro l'8 dicembre per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali, 06.10.2024"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/06/0774/01532.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Brockhaus, Hannah (12 October 2024). ["Vatican Shares Pope Francis' Schedule for December Consistory to Create Cardinals"](https://www.ncregister.com/cna/vatican-shares-pope-francis-schedule-for-december-consistory-to-create-cardinals?amp). *National Catholic Register*. Retrieved 12 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Manríquez Herrera, Alejandro. ["Mons. Chomalí tras ser nombrado cardenal: "Espero ser un aporte para la Iglesia Chilena""](https://www.iglesiadesantiago.cl/arzobispado/site/artic/20241006/pags/20241006085710.html). *Arzbispodo de Santiago*. Retrieved 2 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Concistoro Ordinario Pubblico: Assegnazione dei Titoli e delle Diaconie ai nuovi Cardinali, 07.12.2024"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/12/07/0975/01948.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 7 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Cardinal Electors"](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html). Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 6 May 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250506193115/https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html) from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Fernando Chomali](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Fernando_Chomali).

- [Biography on Catholic Hierarchy](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bchga.html)

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v t e Cardinals created by Francis 2014 Parolin Baldisseri Müller Stella Nichols Brenes Lacroix Kutwa Tempesta Bassetti Poli Yeom Ezzati Ouédraogo Quevedo Langlois Capovilla Aguilar Felix 2015 Mamberti Clemente Souraphiel Dew Menichelli Nhơn Suárez Inda Bo Kovitvanit Montenegro Sturla Blázquez Lacunza Gomes Furtado Mafi Pimiento De Magistris Rauber Villalba Langa 2016 Zenari Nzapalainga Osoro da Rocha Cupich D'Rozario Porras De Kesel Piat Farrell Aguiar Retes Ribat Tobin Fernandez Corti Khoarai Simoni 2017 Zerbo Omella Arborelius Mangkhanekhoun Rosa 2018 Sako Ladaria De Donatis Becciu Krajewski Coutts Marto Barreto Tsarahazana Petrocchi Maeda Obeso Ticona Bocos 2019 Ayuso de Mendonça Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo García Ambongo Hollerich Ramazzini Zuppi López Czerny Fitzgerald Tamkevičius Dal Corso 2020 Grech Semeraro Kambanda Gregory Advincula Aós Braco Sim Lojudice Gambetti Arizmendi Tomasi Cantalamessa Feroci 2022 Roche You Vérgez Aveline Okpaleke Steiner Ferrão McElroy do Carmo da Silva Cantoni Poola Costa Baawobr Goh Martínez Flores Marengo Jimenéz Miglio Ghirlanda Frezza 2023 Prevost Gugerotti Fernández Tscherrig Pierre Pizzaballa Brislin Rossi Rueda Ryś Mulla Cobo Rugambwa Francis Chow Bustillo Alves Aguiar Fernández Artime Marchetto Padrón Dri 2024 Acerbi Castillo Bokalic Cabrera Chomali Kikuchi David Nemet Spengler Bessi Dogbo Vesco Mathieu Repole Reina Leo Makrickas Bychok Radcliffe Baggio Koovakad Battaglia Catholic Church portal

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