PETALING JAYA: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (CBCMSB) have congratulated the newest Malaysian Cardinal, Bishop Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis (pic).
"The CBCMSB together with the Diocese of Penang and all the People of God in the region expresses our profound blessings, happiness and jubilation on Pope Francis’ appointment of Rt. Rev. Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis, the Bishop of Penang, as Malaysia’s second Roman Catholic Cardinal," it said in a statement on Monday (July 10).
Quoting the Bishop, the statement said that he was happy to follow in the footsteps of the late Cardinals Soter Fernandez (Malaysia) and Cornelius Sim (Brunei) as well as Singaporean Cardinal William Goh.
"Together with them and the Church in Asia, we give joint witness to the Universality of the Catholic Church and the Apostolic continuity of the Mission entrusted by the Risen Christ to St. Peter, the Apostles and their Successors. May the Mission primarily entrusted to the Holy Spirit continue in Malaysia, Asia and beyond," the statement said.
On July 9, the Bishop of Penang was among the 21 new cardinals announced by Pope Francis.
