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Arlindo Gomes Furtado

Stored: Arlindo Gomes Furtado

His Eminence Arlindo Gomes Furtado
Bishop of Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde
Home diocese: Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde
Other diocese 1: Diocese of Mindelo
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 18 July 1976 by Bishop Paulino Livramento Évora
Consecration: 22 February 2004 by Bishop Paulino Livramento Évora
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 14 February 2015 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: Arlindo Gomes Furtado
4 October 1949
Figueira das Naus, Santa Catarina, Cape Verde
Died:
Nationality: Cape Verdean
Education: Pontifical Biblical Institute, Instituto Superior de Estudos Teológicos (Coimbra)
Motto: "Jesus, O Bom Pastor" (Jesus, The Good Shepherd)
Role: Diocesan
Theology: Moderate
Region: Africa
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Eligible


Cardinal Arlindo Gomes Furtado, born (1949-10-04) October 4, 1949 (age 76), is a Cape Verdean prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde since 2009 and as the first cardinal from Cape Verde, elevated by Pope Francis in 2015.[1] Ordained a priest in 1976, he was the first Bishop of Mindelo from 2004 to 2009, before leading the historic Santiago Diocese, one of Africa’s oldest.[2] His ministry emphasizes social justice, poverty alleviation, and dynamic evangelization, advocating for a welcoming Church that prioritizes youth and families, as expressed during the 2015 Synod on the Family.[3] At 75, Furtado is one of 18 African cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, where his perspective from the global South and pastoral proximity, reflected in his motto “Jesus, O Bom Pastor,” contribute to discussions on the Church’s future.[4]

A member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Furtado has served in various roles, including rector of the São José Seminary, vicar general, and professor of biblical studies in Coimbra, Portugal.[2] His academic background includes a licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.[5] Appointed to Vatican dicasteries for Evangelization and Worship, he has influenced global Church policy.[6] In 2024, marking his 75th birthday, his family announced plans for a foundation and museum in his honor to promote his legacy of human dignity and religious tourism in Cape Verde.[7] Furtado submitted his resignation as required by canon law upon turning 75 but remains active in the 2025 conclave, one of 135 electors from 71 countries.[4]

Biography

Birth and early life

Arlindo Gomes Furtado was born on October 4, 1949, in Figueira das Naus, Santa Catarina, Cape Verde, to Ernesto Robalo Gomes and Maria Furtado, the fourth of their children.[8] Baptized in August 1951 in Santa Catarina parish, he grew up in a devout Catholic family in a rural community.[2] His early life was shaped by Cape Verde’s socio-economic challenges, fostering his later focus on poverty and social justice.[6]

Educated at a primary school in Achada Lem, Furtado completed secondary education at the São José Seminary in Praia by 1962.[8] His vocation was influenced by the Spiritan missionaries and the Church’s role in Cape Verde’s post-colonial context, leading him to pursue priestly formation.[2]

Education

Furtado entered the São José Minor Seminary in Praia in 1963, completing high school studies.[8] In 1971, he studied theology at the Major Seminary in Coimbra, Portugal, earning a degree from the Instituto Superior de Estudos Teológicos in 1976.[2] From 1986 to 1990, he pursued a licentiate in Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.[5]

His academic career included teaching Greek, Hebrew, and biblical studies in Coimbra (1991–1995) and high school English in Cape Verde.[6] Fluent in Portuguese and with working knowledge of Italian, his education equipped him for pastoral and scholarly roles in a diverse Church.[2]

Priesthood

Ordained a deacon on May 9, 1976, and a priest on July 18, 1976, by Bishop Paulino Livramento Évora for the Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde, Furtado served as parish vicar (1976–1978), chancellor and treasurer (1978–1984), and chaplain to Cape Verdeans in the Netherlands (1985–1986).[1] He was rector of the São José Seminary (1978–1986) and vicar general (1996–2003).[2]

His priesthood focused on education, youth ministry, and diocesan administration, addressing Cape Verde’s challenges of poverty and emigration.[6] His biblical scholarship and pastoral proximity shaped his leadership, leading to his episcopal appointment in 2003.[3]

Bishop

Appointed the first Bishop of Mindelo on December 9, 2003, by Pope John Paul II, Furtado was consecrated on February 22, 2004, by Bishop Paulino Livramento Évora.[5] He became Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde on July 22, 2009, and was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis on February 14, 2015, receiving the titular church of San Timoteo.[1]

As bishop, Furtado has promoted social justice, family values, and evangelization, serving as apostolic administrator of Mindelo and a member of Vatican dicasteries.[6] In 2025, he participates in the May 7 conclave, representing Cape Verde’s perspective.[4]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Diocese of Mindelo Bishop 9 December 2003 22 July 2009 First bishop of newly created diocese
Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde Bishop 22 July 2009 Present Elevated to cardinal in 2015, first Cape Verdean cardinal

Significant events

  • Ordained priest for the Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde in 1976.[2]
  • Appointed rector of São José Seminary, 1978–1986.[2]
  • Earned licentiate in Sacred Scripture in Rome, 1990.[5]
  • Appointed vicar general of Santiago de Cabo Verde, 1996–2003.[2]
  • Named first Bishop of Mindelo, 2003.[5]
  • Appointed Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde, 2009.[1]
  • Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2015.[1]
  • Participated in the 2015 Synod on the Family.[3]
  • Awarded Honoris Causa by Universidade do Mindelo, 2017.[9]
  • Celebrated 75th birthday, with family announcing foundation and museum, 2024.[7]
  • Participated in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7.[4]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Furtado were identified.

Written by the bishop

  • No books authored by Cardinal Furtado were identified. He has issued pastoral letters and statements through the Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde, but no published books are documented.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Arlindo Gomes Furtado". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlindo_Gomes_Furtado. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 "Cardinal Arlindo Gomes Furtado". Vatican Press. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinals_bio_furtado_ag.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Cardinal Furtado". Salt + Light Media. 2015-02-14. https://saltandlightmedia.org/cardinal-furtado/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Conclave: Who will elect the next Pope". Vatican News. 2025-04-29. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-who-will-elect-the-next-pope.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Arlindo Gomes Furtado". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bgfurt.html. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "Cardinal Arlindo Gomes Furtado". The College of Cardinals Report. 2024-07-08. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-arlindo-gomes-furtado/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Cape Verdean Cardinal Celebrates 75th Birthday". ACI Africa. 2024-10-04. https://www.aciafrica.org/news/11225/cape-verdean-cardinal-celebrates-75th-birthday-family-announces-foundation-museum-to-honor-legacy. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Cardeal Dom Arlindo Gomes Furtado". Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde. https://diocesesantiago.org/cardeal-dom-arlindo-gomes-furtado. 
  9. ↑ "Doutoramento Honoris Causa". Universidade do Mindelo. 2017-11-20. https://www.um.edu.cv/en/noticias/111-doutoramento-honoris-causa. 
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