Chibly Langlois
Stored: Chibly Langlois
| His Eminence Chibly Langlois | |
| Bishop of Diocese of Les Cayes | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Les Cayes |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Fort-Liberté |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 22 September 1991 by Bishop Guire Poulard |
| Consecration: | 6 June 2004 by Archbishop Hubert Constant |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 22 February 2014 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Chibly Langlois 29 November 1958 La Vallée, Haiti |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Haitian |
| Education: | Grand Séminaire Notre-Dame (Port-au-Prince), Pontifical Lateran University (Rome) |
| Motto: | "Servire Cum Caritate" (To Serve with Charity) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Caribbean |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Chibly Langlois, born November 29, 1958, is a Haitian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Bishop of Les Cayes since 2011 and becoming Haiti’s first cardinal, elevated by Pope Francis in 2014.[1] As one of 134 cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, Langlois marks a historic moment by casting Haiti’s first vote in a papal election, representing a marginalized nation amid the Church’s global expansion.[2] His motto, “Servire Cum Caritate” (To Serve with Charity), reflects his commitment to Haiti’s poor, particularly after the 2010 and 2021 earthquakes, where he led humanitarian efforts in Les Cayes, a region plagued by poverty and violence.[3] Langlois’ presence in the conclave underscores Pope Francis’ emphasis on including prelates from underrepresented regions, such as Haiti, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea.[4]
Ordained a priest in 1991, Langlois served as Bishop of Fort-Liberté (2004–2011) before his appointment to Les Cayes, where he has focused on evangelization and social justice, notably addressing inequalities post-2021 earthquake.[1] As president of the Haitian Episcopal Conference (2011–2017), he strengthened the Church’s role as a first responder in crises, earning recognition for his pastoral proximity to the suffering.[2] Appointed to Vatican bodies, including the Dicastery for Communication and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, Langlois has influenced global Church policy while advocating for Haiti’s vulnerable.[1] His 2024 statement highlighted the Church’s presence amid Haiti’s poverty and violence, urging solidarity, a theme he carries into the 2025 conclave.[1]
Biography
Birth and early life
Chibly Langlois was born on November 29, 1958, in La Vallée, Jacmel, Haiti, into a Catholic family in a region marked by poverty.[1] Raised in a rural community, he attended local schools and discerned a priestly vocation early, influenced by Haiti’s vibrant Catholic tradition despite socio-economic challenges.[2] His upbringing in Jacmel, a culturally rich but underserved area, shaped his focus on serving the marginalized.[5]
At age 27, Langlois entered the Grand Séminaire Notre-Dame in Port-au-Prince, beginning his formal path to priesthood.[1] His early exposure to Haiti’s social inequalities and Catholic social teaching informed his later ministry.[2]
Education
Langlois studied theology at the Grand Séminaire Notre-Dame in Port-au-Prince, earning a bachelor of arts in theology in 1991.[1] From 1994 to 1996, he pursued further studies at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, obtaining a license in pastoral theology with a dissertation titled “La nouvelle évangélisation, oeuvre d’inculturation en Haïti” (The New Evangelization, a Work of Inculturation in Haiti).[1] His academic focus centered on adapting Church teachings to Haiti’s cultural context.[5]
Fluent in French, Haitian Creole, and Italian, Langlois’ education prepared him for pastoral leadership in Haiti’s diverse and crisis-prone environment.[2] His Roman studies deepened his commitment to evangelization and social justice.[1]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on September 22, 1991, by Bishop Guire Poulard for the Diocese of Jacmel, Langlois served as a parish priest and diocesan youth chaplain, focusing on catechesis and community outreach.[3] From 1994 to 1996, he studied in Rome, returning to Jacmel to lead pastoral programs addressing poverty and education.[1] His work post-2010 earthquake, providing spiritual and material aid, gained him recognition among Haitian Church leaders.[2]
Langlois’ priesthood emphasized inculturation, integrating Catholic teachings with Haitian culture, and advocating for the poor amid Haiti’s political and natural crises.[1] His leadership in Jacmel laid the foundation for his episcopal roles.[5]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Fort-Liberté on April 8, 2004, by Pope John Paul II, Langlois was consecrated on June 6, 2004, by Archbishop Hubert Constant.[3] Transferred to the Diocese of Les Cayes on August 15, 2011, by Pope Benedict XVI, he has led a diocese severely impacted by the 2021 earthquake.[1] Elevated to cardinal on February 22, 2014, he was assigned the titular church of San Giacomo in Augusta.[5]
As bishop, Langlois has prioritized humanitarian aid, education, and evangelization, serving on Vatican bodies like the Dicastery for Communication.[1] In 2025, he participates in the May 7 conclave, representing Haiti’s voice in the global Church.[4]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Fort-Liberté | Bishop | 8 April 2004 | 15 August 2011 | First episcopal appointment |
| Diocese of Les Cayes | Bishop | 15 August 2011 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2014, Haiti’s first cardinal |
Significant events
- Entered Grand Séminaire Notre-Dame, 1985.[1]
- Ordained priest for Diocese of Jacmel, 1991.[3]
- Studied at Pontifical Lateran University, 1994–1996.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of Fort-Liberté, 2004.[3]
- Transferred to Diocese of Les Cayes, 2011.[1]
- Elected president of Haitian Episcopal Conference, 2011–2017.[1]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2014.[1]
- Participated in Synod on the Family, 2014.[1]
- Addressed social inequalities post-2021 earthquake, 2021.[1]
- Participates in 2025 papal conclave, 2025.[2]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Langlois were identified.
Written by the bishop
- No books authored by Cardinal Langlois were identified. He has issued pastoral letters and statements through the Diocese of Les Cayes, but no published books are documented.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 "Haiti’s first and only cardinal set to vote in upcoming conclave to elect new pope". Catholic News Agency. 2025-04-29. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257959/haitis-first-and-only-cardinal-set-to-vote-in-upcoming-conclave-to-elect-new-pope.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "After Pope Francis’ death, Haiti’s first cardinal helps choose his successor". The Haitian Times. 2025-04-24. https://haitiantimes.com/2025/04/24/after-pope-francis-death-haitis-first-cardinal-helps-choose-his-successor/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Chibly Cardinal Langlois". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/blangc.html.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "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.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Cardinal Chibly Langlois". Vatican Press. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinals_bio_langlois_c.html.