The Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, among the new Cardinals

Rome (Italy). On 9 July 2023, at the end of the Angelus, Pope Francis announced a Consistory for the creation of new Cardinals, introducing the names with these words:

“Now I would like to announce that on 30 September, I will hold a Consistory for the appointment of new Cardinals. Their provenance expresses the universality of the Church, which continues to proclaim God’s merciful love to all people on earth. The inclusion of new Cardinals in the Diocese of Rome demonstrates the inseparable link between the See of Peter and the particular Churches spread throughout the world.”

Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, is among the 21 Cardinals nominated by the Holy Father, who concluded the announcement by asking to pray for them:

“Let us pray for the new Cardinals, so that, confirming their adherence to Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest (cf. Heb 2:17), they may help me in my ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of all the faithful Holy People of God”.

The news aroused great surprise and joy in Salesian realities all over the world. The Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, expresses her good wishes as follows:

“We join in the joy of the whole Salesian Family and as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, we assure our fraternal and intense prayer so that Fr. Ángel may express Don Bosco’s heart in the heart of the Church, and bring Light to believers, especially to young people.”

Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, was born on 21 August 1960 in Gozón-Luanco (Asturias), Spain. He made his first profession on 3 September 1978; his perpetual vows on 17 June 1984, in Santiago de Compostela; and was ordained a priest on 4 July 1987, in León. Originally from the León Province, he obtained a licentiate in Pastoral Theology and in Philosophy and Pedagogy.

He was Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, Director of the school of Ourense, Provincial Councilor and Vicar and, Provincial from 2000 to 2006.

After being part of the technical commission that prepared the 26^th General Chapter, in 2009 he was appointed Provincial of the South Argentina Province, based in Buenos Aires. In this role, he was able to meet and collaborate personally with the then Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, today, Pope Francis.

On 23 December 2013, he was appointed Superior of the new Province of Mediterranean Spain, dedicated to “Mary Help of Christians”, but before being able to assume this new service, on 25 March 2014, he was elected by the 27^th General Chapter as the new Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation and X Successor of Don Bosco. On 11 March 2020, he was confirmed as Rector Major of the Salesians, for another second six-year period, 2020-2026.