Dominique Mathieu

Stored: Dominique Mathieu, Dominique Mathieu

His Eminence Dominique Mathieu
Bishop of Archdiocese of Tehran–Isfahan
Home diocese:	Diocese of Liège
Other diocese 1:
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination:	24 September 1989 by Bishop Guillaume Marie van Zuylen
Consecration:	16 February 2021 by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri
Rank:	Cardinal
Created cardinal:	7 December 2024 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born:	Dominique Joseph Mathieu (1963-06-13) June 13, 1963 Arlon, Luxembourg Province, Belgium
Died:
Nationality:	Belgian
Education:	Pontifical Theological Faculty of St. Bonaventure
Motto:	Deus Meus in Te Confido
Role:	Diocesan
Theology:	Moderate
Region:	Middle East
Rite:	Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility:	Eligible

Dominique Mathieu, born (1963-06-13) June 13, 1963, is a Belgian Catholic cardinal and Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Tehran–Isfahan since 2021. A member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, Mathieu was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024, becoming the third cardinal in modern Iran’s history. His ministry in one of the world’s smallest dioceses, with approximately 2,000–6,000 Catholics across six parishes, focuses on maintaining the Christian presence in an Islamic republic, promoting interreligious dialogue, and supporting marginalized communities under challenging conditions.

Born in Arlon, Luxembourg Province, Belgium, Mathieu joined the Franciscans inspired by Saint Maximilian Kolbe and served in various roles, including provincial minister in Belgium and missionary in Lebanon. Known for his passion for astronomy and fluency in five languages, including Arabic, he navigates the complexities of leading the Roman Rite in Iran, where Catholic churches face government surveillance and conversion from Islam is criminalized. His elevation to cardinal reflects Pope Francis’ emphasis on the universal Church, honoring Iran’s small Catholic community and fostering diplomatic outreach.

Biography

Birth and early life

Dominique Mathieu was born on (1963-06-13) June 13, 1963 in Arlon, a town in Luxembourg Province, Belgium. Raised in a Catholic family, he moved to Bruges in 1970, then to Sint Kruis and Damme, where he attended the Sint Franciscus Xaverius Institute, run by the Xaverian Brothers. His early faith was shaped by serving as an altar boy at St. Savior’s Cathedral and the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges, and by the example of a Capuchin ancestor, a missionary bishop in the Congo.

At age five, Mathieu felt a call to the priesthood while visiting the Poor Clares’ convent church in Arlon. Inspired by Saint Maximilian Kolbe, he developed a relationship with the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Louvain, joining the order at 21. His childhood in Belgium’s culturally rich regions fostered an interest in astronomy, which he later connected to his spirituality, reflecting on the vastness of creation.

Education

Mathieu’s academic journey began with a licentiate in economic sciences in 1983, earned before entering the Franciscan novitiate in Germany. In 1984, he started theological studies at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of St. Bonaventure (Seraphicum) in Rome, completing them in 1989. His theological formation emphasized Franciscan spirituality and prepared him for pastoral and administrative roles within the order.

Mathieu’s multilingual abilities, including fluency in Arabic, were honed during his studies and later missions. He also taught as a formator and master of novices in Lebanon, contributing to the training of Franciscan candidates. His education blended academic rigor with practical ministry, shaping his moderate theological stance and commitment to dialogue in diverse cultural contexts.

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on 24 September 1989 by Bishop Guillaume Marie van Zuylen for the Diocese of Liège, Mathieu served in various Franciscan roles in Belgium. He was rector of the National Shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua in Brussels, director of its Confraternity, and provincial minister of the Belgian Friars Minor Conventual. He also led non-profit organizations supporting the order and served as president of the Central Europe Federation of the Friars Minor Conventual.

In 2013, Mathieu was sent to Lebanon, where he was incardinated in the Provincial Custody of the East and the Holy Land. He served as custodial secretary, formator, master of novices, and rector of postulants, gaining experience in a region marked by religious diversity and conflict. His priesthood focused on listening to the suffering, fostering community, and promoting the Roman Rite in challenging settings.

Bishop

Appointed Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Tehran–Isfahan on 8 January 2021 by Pope Francis, Mathieu was consecrated on 16 February 2021 by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri in Rome’s Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles, with Cardinal Mauro Gambetti and Archbishop Ignazio Bedini as co-consecrators. Serving a small Catholic community of 2,000–6,000, primarily ethnic Assyrians, Armenians, and expatriates, he navigates Iran’s restrictive environment, where churches are monitored and conversion from Islam is criminalized.

Elevated to cardinal on 7 December 2024, Mathieu received the title of Santa Giovanna Antida Thouret, reflecting Pope Francis’ recognition of Iran’s tiny Catholic community. His ministry emphasizes interreligious dialogue, support for persecuted Christians, and maintaining the Christian presence in Iran, with a budget of $35,000 annually. He has advocated for peace amid Middle East tensions, drawing on his motto, “Deus Meus in Te Confido” (My God, in You I Trust).

Diocese	Role	Start Date	End Date	Notes
Archdiocese of Tehran–Isfahan	Archbishop	8 January 2021	Present	Appointed by Pope Francis; elevated to cardinal in 2024

Significant events

• Joined the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in 1983.
• Ordained priest for the Diocese of Liège by Bishop Guillaume Marie van Zuylen in 1989.
• Appointed rector of the National Shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua in Brussels, serving until 2013.
• Sent on mission to Lebanon, incardinated in the Provincial Custody of the East and the Holy Land in 2013.
• Named Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Tehran–Isfahan by Pope Francis in 2021.
• Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis on 7 December 2024, with the title of Santa Giovanna Antida Thouret.
• Advocated for peace in the Middle East amid tensions, as noted in a 2024 interview.

Books

Written about the bishop

• No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Dominique Mathieu have been identified as of May 2025.

Written by the bishop

• No known books or publications authored by Cardinal Dominique Mathieu have been identified as of May 2025.

External links

• Dominique Joseph Cardinal Mathieu, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
• Tehran’s New Catholic Archbishop Ordained, Vatican News
• Newly Elevated Cardinal in Iran Discusses Peace, National Catholic Register
• With Our Eyes Raised to Heaven: Interview with Cardinal Dominique Mathieu, Notizie OFMConv

References

• • Cargo Note**: The infobox fields `diocese` and `home_diocese` are likely defined as "Page" types in the

Stored: Dominique Mathieu, Dominique Mathieu

Dominique Mathieu
Bishop of
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