Emil Paul Tscherrig

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Stored: Emil Paul Tscherrig, Emil Paul Tscherrig

His Eminence Emil Paul Tscherrig
Bishop of
Home diocese: Diocese of Sion
Other diocese 1:
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 11 April 1974 by Bishop Pierre Mamie
Consecration: 27 June 1996 by Cardinal Angelo Sodano
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 30 September 2023 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: Emil Paul Tscherrig
(1947-02-03) February 3, 1947 (age 78)
Unterems, Valais, Switzerland
Died:
Nationality: Swiss
Education: Pontifical Gregorian University
Motto: Christus, Mea Spes
Role: Diplomatic
Theology: Moderate
Region: Western Europe
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Eligible


Emil Paul Tscherrig, born (1947-02-03) February 3, 1947 (age 78), is a Swiss Catholic cardinal and retired Apostolic Nuncio, having served in the Holy See’s diplomatic service from 1978 to 2024. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023, he was the first non-Italian Nuncio to Italy and San Marino (2017–2024) and held posts in Argentina, Burundi, South Korea, and the Caribbean, among others. His diplomatic career, marked by mediation in Venezuela’s 2016 protests and support for synodality, reflects his commitment to the Roman Rite and Church reform.[1][2][3]

Born in Unterems, Valais, Tscherrig developed a close relationship with Pope Francis during his tenure as Nuncio to Argentina (2012–2017), where he informed the Catholic community of the pope’s election. In 2024, he celebrated his 50th priestly jubilee in Sion, and in 2025, he participated in the papal conclave, with X posts noting his pragmatic and dialog-oriented approach as a potential bridge-builder among cardinals.[4][5][6]

Biography

Birth and early life

Emil Paul Tscherrig was born on (1947-02-03) February 3, 1947 (age 78) in Unterems, Valais, Switzerland, the eldest of eight children in a mountain farming family.[1][2] He attended primary school in Unterems and, from 1961, the Lycée-Collège Spiritus Sanctus in Brig, earning his Matura in 1968.[7] Raised in a deeply Catholic region, his faith was shaped by rural simplicity and the influence of Saint Maurice, patron of Valais.[4]

His childhood in the rugged Alps fostered resilience and a global outlook, later evident in his diplomatic postings across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Tscherrig’s early exposure to Valais’ Catholic traditions and his family’s piety laid the foundation for his vocational discernment, culminating in his entry into the seminary.[3][8]

Education

Tscherrig studied philosophy and theology at the Seminary of Sion and the University of Fribourg, earning a licentiate in theology in 1974.[7] He pursued further studies in Rome, obtaining a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1978 with a dissertation on “The Essence of the Ecumenical Council” under Jean Beyer, SJ.[9] He also trained at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy (1973–1978) for diplomatic service.[2]

His academic formation, rooted in Vatican II’s ecumenical and pastoral vision, shaped his moderate theological stance, emphasizing synodality and lay involvement. His fluency in German, French, Italian, English, and Spanish, developed through studies and diplomatic work, enhanced his global ministry.[10][3]

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on 11 April 1974 by Bishop Pierre Mamie for the Diocese of Sion, Tscherrig served briefly in pastoral roles before entering the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1978.[1][11] He held posts in Uganda (1978–1981), South Korea (1981–1984), and Bangladesh (1984–1985), and worked in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State (1985–1996), assisting Roberto Tucci, SJ, in planning Pope John Paul II’s international trips.[9][3]

His priesthood was marked by diplomatic assignments and honors, including Papal Chaplain (1980) and Honorary Prelate (1992).[12] Tscherrig’s early diplomatic work in crisis regions like Uganda and his Vatican role organizing 40 papal trips honed his skills in mediation and intercultural dialogue, later applied in Venezuela and Argentina.[13]

Bishop

Appointed titular Archbishop of Voli and Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi on 4 May 1996 by Pope John Paul II, Tscherrig was consecrated on 27 June 1996 by Cardinal Angelo Sodano in St. Peter’s Basilica, with Bishops Henri Schwery and Norbert Brunner as co-consecrators.[1][11] He served in Burundi (1996–2000), navigating political tensions, and as Nuncio to Caribbean nations (2000–2004), including Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and the Antilles.[1][2]

From 2004 to 2008, he was Nuncio to South Korea and Mongolia, followed by the Nordic countries (2008–2012). As Nuncio to Argentina (2012–2017), he built ties with then-Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio, informing Catholics of Pope Francis’ election in 2013.[1][12] Appointed Nuncio to Italy and San Marino in 2017, the first non-Italian in that role, he retired on 11 March 2024.[14] In 2023, he was made Cardinal-Deacon of San Giuseppe al Trionfale.[1] In 2025, he voted in the papal conclave, with X posts noting his bridge-building potential.[5][6]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Voli Titular Archbishop 4 May 1996 Present Appointed by Pope John Paul II; elevated to cardinal in 2023

Significant events

  • Entered the Seminary of Sion in 1968.[7]
  • Ordained priest for the Diocese of Sion by Bishop Pierre Mamie on 11 April 1974.[1]
  • Joined the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1978, serving in Uganda, South Korea, and Bangladesh.[9]
  • Worked in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, planning papal trips, from 1985 to 1996.[3]
  • Appointed titular Archbishop of Voli and Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi by Pope John Paul II on 4 May 1996, consecrated on 27 June 1996.[1]
  • Served as Apostolic Nuncio to Caribbean nations, including Trinidad and Tobago and the Antilles, from 2000 to 2004.[1]
  • Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to South Korea and Mongolia on 22 May 2004.[1]
  • Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway) on 26 January 2008.[1]
  • Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Argentina on 5 January 2012.[1]
  • Mediated between government and opposition during Venezuela’s 2016 protests.[12]
  • Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and San Marino, the first non-Italian, on 12 September 2017.[14]
  • Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 30 September 2023, with the deaconry of San Giuseppe al Trionfale.[1]
  • Retired from diplomatic service on 11 March 2024.[14]
  • Celebrated 50th priestly jubilee in Sion on 1 June 2024.[4]
  • Participated as a voting cardinal in the 2025 papal conclave.[5]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig have been identified as of May 2025.

Written by the bishop

  • Das Wesen des Ökumenischen Konzils (The Essence of the Ecumenical Council), Pontifical Gregorian University, 1978.[9]

External links

References

  1. ↑ 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 "Emil Paul Tscherrig". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Paul_Tscherrig. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "TSCHERRIG Card. Emil Paul". https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_tscherrig.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig". 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/emil-paul-tscherrig. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Kardinal Tscherrig feiert 50 Jahre Priesterweihe in Sitten". 2024-06-01. https://www.kath.ch/newsd/kardinal-tscherrig-feiert-50-jahre-priesterweihe-in-sitten/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 CNA Deutsch (2025-05-02). "@CNAdeutsch: Six German-speaking cardinals, including Swiss Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig, are eligible to vote in the conclave". https://t.co/ER8vzBmGM6. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ebneter, Matthias (2025-04-27). "@matthiasebneter: Tscherrig is pragmatic, slightly progressive, and dialog-oriented, shaped by Francis’ influence". https://t.co/CLHAgMUbBw. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Emil Paul Tscherrig". 2023-07-10. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Paul_Tscherrig. 
  8. ↑ "Walliser Erzbischof Emil Paul Tscherrig ist Kardinal". 2023-09-30. https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/walliser-erzbischof-emil-paul-tscherrig-ist-kardinal/48862774. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "Emil Paul Tscherrig". 2008-07-22. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Paul_Tscherrig. 
  10. ↑ "Emil Paul Tscherrig". 2022-02-03. https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Paul_Tscherrig. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Emil Paul Cardinal Tscherrig". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/btsce.html. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Emil Paul Tscherrig". 2015-10-13. https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Paul_Tscherrig. 
  13. ↑ "Emil Paul Tscherrig – Ein neuer Schweizer Kardinal". 2023-07-19. https://sonntag-magazin.ch/emil-paul-tscherrig-ein-neuer-schweizer-kardinal. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Kardinal Tscherrig verlässt diplomatischen Dienst". 2024-03-10. https://www.kath.ch/newsd/kardinal-tscherrig-verlaesst-diplomatischen-dienst/. 
    • Cargo Note**: The infobox field `home_diocese` is likely defined as a "Page" type in the

Stored: Emil Paul Tscherrig, Emil Paul Tscherrig

Emil Paul Tscherrig
Bishop of
Home diocese:
Other diocese 1:
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination:
Consecration:
Rank:
Created cardinal:
Personal details
Born:

Died:
Nationality: [[]]
Education:
Motto:
Role:
Theology:
Region:
Rite:
Conclave Eligibility: 
Cargo infobox, which may cause automatic linking to Diocese of Sion in the rendered output due to Cargo’s default behavior. To fully suppress links, the Cargo table schema may need to use "String" field types, or the template may require display parameters (e.g., |home_diocese_display=Diocese of Sion). Without access to the template’s code, plain text values are used as requested, but linking may persist unless the template is modified.
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