# Sebastian Francis

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Malaysian cardinal and bishop

His Eminence Dato' Seri Sebastian Francis DGPN DSPN Cardinal, Bishop of Penang Church Catholic Church Diocese Penang Appointed 7 July 2011 Predecessor Antony Selvanayagam Other post Cardinal Priest of Santa Maria Causa Nostrae Laetitiae (2023‍–‍present) Previous posts President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (2016‍–‍2023) Vicar General of the Diocese of Malacca–Johor (1999‍–‍2001, 2003‍–‍2011) Orders Ordination 28 July 1977 Consecration 19 August 2011 by Murphy Pakiam Created cardinal 30 September 2023 by Francis Rank Cardinal priest Personal details Born (1951-11-11) 11 November 1951 (age 74) Johor Bahru, Johor, Federation of Malaya Education College General Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas Maryknoll School of Theology Motto Fiat voluntas tua (Latin for 'Thy will be done') Coat of arms

Styles of Sebastian Francis Reference style His Eminence Spoken style Your Eminence Religious style Cardinal Informal style Cardinal

[Dato' Seri](/source/Malay_styles_and_titles#Dato) **Sebastian Francis** (born 11 November 1951) is a [Malaysian Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church_in_Malaysia) prelate who has served as [Bishop of Penang](/source/Diocese_of_Penang) since 2011. [Pope Francis](/source/Pope_Francis) elevated him to the rank of [cardinal](/source/Cardinal_(Catholic_Church)) in 2023. He is the second cardinal from Malaysia, after [Anthony Soter Fernandez](/source/Anthony_Soter_Fernandez).

## Early life and education

Sebastian Francis was born on 11 November 1951, in [Johor Bahru](/source/Johor_Bahru), which was then part of the [Federation of Malaya](/source/Federation_of_Malaya). His grandparents had emigrated from [India](/source/India)'s [Thrissur](/source/Thrissur) district (formerly known as Trichur) in [Kerala](/source/Kerala) to [Malaysia](/source/Malaysia) in the 1890s during [British rule](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=British_rule_in_Malaysia&action=edit&redlink=1). His family belonged to the Mechery family of [Ollur](/source/Ollur) in Thrissur. Francis grew up in Malaysia, where his family included five brothers and four sisters, all of whom became [Malaysian citizens](/source/Malaysian_citizenship).[1]

From 1958 to 1963, Francis received his primary education at St. Joseph's Primary School in [Johor Bahru](/source/Johor_Bahru), which was run by the [Brothers of St. Gabriel](/source/Montfort_Brothers_of_St._Gabriel). From 1964 to 1967, he attended [Montfort Secondary School](/source/Montfort_Secondary_School) in Singapore, also managed by the Brothers of St. Gabriel, where he completed his [secondary education](/source/Secondary_education) up to the [Senior Cambridge](/source/Senior_Cambridge) level. Between 1964 and 1966, Francis joined the Juniorate of the Brothers of St. Gabriel in Singapore and lived in community with the Brothers. In 1967, he successfully passed the Senior Cambridge examination in Singapore.

## Priesthood

Francis entered Saint Francis Xavier Minor Seminary in [Singapore](/source/Singapore) in 1967 and enrolled in the [College General](/source/College_General), a major seminary in [Penang](/source/Penang), three years later, where he studied theology.[2] At the age of 26, he was ordained a priest for the [Diocese of Melaka-Johor](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Melaka-Johor) on 28 July 1977.[2]

He was parish vicar of St. Francis Xavier in [Malacca](/source/Malacca) from 1977 to 1981 and then briefly parish vicar of Immaculate Conception in [Johor Bahru](/source/Johor_Bahru).[3] He then moved to Rome and earned a licentiate in dogmatic theology from the [Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas](/source/Pontifical_University_of_Saint_Thomas_Aquinas) in 1983.[2] He was parish vicar of St. Francis Xavier in Malacca in 1984; professor of dogmatic theology and spiritual director at the major seminary of Penang, chaplain of university students in Penang, administrator of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Paulau Tikus-Penang and pastoral coordinator from 1985 to 1988;[3] vicar general of Malacca-Johor from 1988 to 2001;[2] pastor of the Cathedral in Malacca from 1988 to 2004; diocesan administrator of Malacca-Johor in 2002-2003; parish priest of St. Louis in [Kluang](/source/Kluang) from 2004 to 2007; parish priest of the Immaculate Conception from 2007 to 2011; and pastor of Christ the King in [Kulai](/source/Kulai) in 2011–2012. He was vicar general of Malacca-Johor from 2003 to 2012.[3] He interrupted his pastoral work to study at the [Maryknoll School of Theology](/source/Maryknoll) in [New York](/source/New_York_(state)) where he obtained a degree in justice and peace studies in 1991.[4]

## Bishop of Penang

On 7 July 2012, [Benedict XVI](/source/Benedict_XVI) appointed Francis the fifth bishop of the [Diocese of Penang](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Penang).[3][2] He received his episcopal consecration on 20 August 2012 at St Anne’s Church in [Bukit Mertajam](/source/Bukit_Mertajam)[4] from Archbishop [Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam](/source/Murphy_Pakiam), with Bishops [Antony Selvanayagam](/source/Antony_Selvanayagam) and [Paul Tan Chee Ing](/source/Paul_Tan_Chee_Ing) serving as co-consecrators. His consecration was witnessed by 10,000 Catholics and attended by then [Chief Minister of Penang](/source/Chief_Minister_of_Penang), [Lim Guan Eng](/source/Lim_Guan_Eng).[5]

On 9 July 2023, Pope Francis announced he planned to make Sebastian a cardinal at a consistory scheduled for 30 September. At that consistory, Pope Francis made him a [cardinal priest](/source/Cardinal_priest), assigning him the title of [Santa Maria Causa Nostrae Laetitiae](/source/Santa_Maria_Causa_Nostrae_Laetitiae). 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).[6]

He is the chairman of the Office of Social Communication (OSC) of the [Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences](/source/Federation_of_Asian_Bishops'_Conferences) (FABC) since 2023.[4] He was formerly the president of the [Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei](/source/Catholic_Bishops'_Conference_of_Malaysia%2C_Singapore_and_Brunei) from 2016 to 2023. Francis is the Grand Prior of the Malaysia-Penang Lieutenancy of the [Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem](/source/Order_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre_(Catholic)).[7]

## Personal life

Francis is [multilingual](/source/Multilingual), with proficiency in [English](/source/English_language), [Malay](/source/Malay_language) and [Tamil](/source/Tamil_language). His personal interests include [reading](/source/Reading), [traveling](/source/Traveling) and participating in outdoor activities such as [hiking](/source/Hiking), [hill climbing](/source/Hill_climbing) and [brisk walking](/source/Brisk_walk).

## Honours

### Honours of Malaysia

- [Penang](/source/Penang) - Officer of the [Order of the Defender of State](/source/Order_of_the_Defender_of_State#Officer) (DSPN) – **Dato'** (2016)[8] - Commander of the [Order of the Defender of State](/source/Order_of_the_Defender_of_State#Commander) (DGPN) – **Dato' Seri** (2021)[9]

## See also

- [Cardinals created by Francis](/source/Cardinals_created_by_Francis)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Malaysian bishop searches roots in Kerala"](https://mattersindia.com/2017/06/malaysian-bishop-searches-roots-n-kerala). *Matters India*. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-fides_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-fides_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-fides_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-fides_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-fides_2-4) ["Resignation of the Bishop of Penang and appointment of successor"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151121015511/http://www.news.va/en/news/asiamalaysia-resignation-of-the-bishop-of-penang-a). Archived from [the original](http://www.news.va/en/news/asiamalaysia-resignation-of-the-bishop-of-penang-a) on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2015-11-20.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-vatbio_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-vatbio_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-vatbio_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-vatbio_3-3) ["Rinunce e Nomine, 07.07.2012"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2012/07/07/0408/00962.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. Retrieved 16 August 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-fabc_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-fabc_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-fabc_4-2) Chai, Ivy (14 February 2023). ["Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang, Malaysia, appointed Chairman of the FABC-OSC"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230326060714/https://www.todayscatholic.com.my/2023/02/bishop-sebastian-francis-of-penang-malaysia-appointed-chairman-of-the-fabc-osc/). *Today's Catholic*. [Radio Veritas Asia](/source/Radio_Veritas_Asia). Archived from [the original](https://www.todayscatholic.com.my/2023/02/bishop-sebastian-francis-of-penang-malaysia-appointed-chairman-of-the-fabc-osc/) on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["New Bishop for the Diocese of Penang"](https://cj.my/74997/new-bishop-for-the-diocese-of-penang/). *Citizens Journal (Malaysia)*. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["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.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["The Lieutenancies of the World Lieutenants and Grand Priors"](https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/oessh/luogotenenze_en.html). Retrieved 2025-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["71 new Datuks in Penang"](http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/08/13/71-new-datuks-in-penang-record-number-of-people-to-receive-title-from-governor/). *www.thestar.com.my*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Bishop Sebastian awarded DGPN"](https://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/bishop-sebastian-awarded-dgpn/60738/1). *[Herald Malaysia](/source/Herald_Malaysia)*. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

## External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Sebastian Francis](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Sebastian_Francis)***.

- [Francis Card. Sebastian](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_francis_s.html). [Holy See Press Office](/source/Holy_See_Press_Office). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231003054341/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_francis_s.html) from the original on 3 October 2023

- [Diocese of Penang official website](http://pgdiocese.org/)

- [Catholic-Hierarchy.org](http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bfrncss.html)

Catholic Church titles Preceded by Antony Selvanayagam Bishop of Penang 2011-current Succeeded by Incumbent

v t e College of Cardinals List of current cardinals Cardinals of the Catholic Church under Pope Leo XIV in order of precedence Cardinal bishops Re Sandri Arinze Bertone Martins Parolin Ouellet Filoni Stella Tagle Raï Sako Cardinal priests Kitbunchu Poupard Wetter López Rodríguez Mahony Darmaatmadja Wamala Maida Puljić Sandoval Stafford De Giorgi Rouco Schönborn Rivera Pujats Sepe Kasper Bačkis Errázuriz Napier Rodríguez Cipriani Herranz Scola Okogie Zubeir Wako Rigali Antonelli Turkson Bozanić Barbarin Erdő Rodé Vallini Rosales Ricard Cañizares O'Malley Dziwisz Zen Lajolo Comastri Ryłko Farina Brady Martínez Sistach Bagnasco Sarr Gracias Robles DiNardo Scherer Njue Sarah Monterisi Burke Koch Piacenza Ravasi Romeo Wuerl Assis Nycz Ranjith Marx Brandmüller de Castro Abril Vegliò Bertello Coccopalmerio Aviz O'Brien Calcagno Versaldi Alencherry Collins Eijk Betori Dolan Woelki Tong Harvey Thottunkal Onaiyekan Salazar Baldisseri Müller Nichols Brenes Lacroix Kutwa Tempesta Bassetti Poli Yeom Ezzati Ouédraogo Quevedo Langlois Clemente Souraphiel Dew Nguyễn Suárez Bo Kovithavanij Montenegro Sturla Blázquez Lacunza Gomes Furtado Mafi Villalba Langa Nzapalainga Osoro Rocha Cupich D'Rozario Porras De Kesel Piat Aguiar Retes Ribat Tobin Zerbo Omella Arborelius Mangkhanekhoun Rosa De Donatis Coutts Marto Barreto Tsarahazana Petrocchi Maeda Ticona Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo García Ambongo Besungu Hollerich Ramazzini Zuppi López Romero Tamkevičius Kambanda Gregory Advincula Aós Lojudice Arizmendi Aveline Okpaleke Steiner Ferrão McElroy do Carmo da Silva Cantoni Poola Costa Goh Martínez Flores Marengo Jiménez Miglio Pizzaballa Brislin Rossi Rueda Ryś Mulla Cobo Rugambwa Francis Chow Bustillo Alves Aguiar Padrón Castillo Bokalic Cabrera Chomalí Kikuchi David Nemet Spengler Bessi Dogbo Vesco Mathieu Repole Reina Leo Bychok Battaglia Cardinal deacons Mamberti Zenari Farrell Simoni Ladaria Becciu Krajewski Bocos Mendonça Czerny Fitzgerald Grech Semeraro Gambetti Tomasi Cantalamessa Feroci Roche You Vérgez Ghirlanda Frezza Gugerotti Fernández Pierre Fernández Artime Marchetto Acerbi Makrickas Radcliffe Baggio Koovakad Cardinals ineligible to participate in a papal conclave in italics See also: Titular Titular church List of titular churches List of creations of cardinals Category Media Catholic Church portal

v t e Roman Catholic Bishops of Penang Francis Chan Gregory Yong Anthony Soter Fernandez Antony Selvanayagam Sebastian Francis Catholicism portal

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

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Biography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography)
- [Catholicism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Catholicism)
- [Malaysia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Malaysia)

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