Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib
Stored: Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib, Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib
| His Eminence Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile |
| Other diocese 1: | Archdiocese of Concepción |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 6 April 1991 by Archbishop Carlos Oviedo Cavada |
| Consecration: | 3 June 2006 by Archbishop Luigi Ventura |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib 10 March 1957 Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Chilean |
| Education: | Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | "Mihi Vivere Christus" (For Me, To Live Is Christ) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Latin America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib, born on 10 March 1957, is a Chilean prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Santiago de Chile since October 2023 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024.[1] Born in Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile, to Palestinian immigrant parents, he was ordained a priest in 1991 for the Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile, served as auxiliary Bishop of Santiago (2006–2011) and Metropolitan Archbishop of Concepción (2011–2023), and became a moral theologian and bioethicist.[2] Known for his moderate theology, Chomalí emphasizes Christian anthropology, service to the poor, and transparency in addressing clerical abuse, notably during Chile’s 2018 abuse crisis.[3] Elevated to cardinal-priest of San Mauro Abate in 2024, he is Chile’s ninth cardinal.[4]
Chomalí’s ministry includes pastoral leadership in urban parishes, bioethics scholarship, and advocacy for social justice, earning him a role as vice president of the Episcopal Conference of Chile (2021–present) and a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life since 2001.[2] His handling of the 2015 Osorno Bishop appointment controversy, involving Juan Barros, and an unverified X post alleging his involvement in abuse cover-ups have drawn scrutiny, though he has publicly called for Church cooperation with civil authorities.[3][5]post:5 Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, Chomalí, at 68, is noted for his contributions to evangelization, though papabile speculation lacks primary confirmation.[6] He continues to lead Santiago’s Catholics, promoting fraternity in a polarized Country.[7]post:6
Biography
Birth and early life
Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib was born on 10 March 1957 in Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile, to Juan Chomalí Celse, a dentist, and Vitalia Garib Aguad, Palestinian immigrants.[1] Baptized the day after his birth, he was the third of five children and attended the Colegio de Alianza Francesa and Instituto Nacional in Santiago, a major City.[2] His cousin, Bishop William Hanna Shomali, serves in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, reflecting his Palestinian Christian roots.[8]web:5
Raised in a devout Catholic family devoted to Saints like the Blessed Virgin Mary, Chomalí’s early life in Chile’s capital shaped his commitment to social justice and evangelization.[3] His Palestinian heritage informs his calls for peace in the Middle East.[2]web:16
Education
Chomalí earned a degree in civil engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in 1981, working as an engineer until 1984.[1] He entered the Pontifical Major Seminary of Santiago in 1984, studying philosophy and theology, and was ordained a priest on 6 April 1991 by Archbishop Carlos Oviedo Cavada in the Roman Rite.[2] He obtained a licentiate in moral theology from the Pontifical Alphonsian Academy (1993), a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University (1994), and a master’s in bioethics from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute (1998), all in Rome.[7]web:12
His academic roles included teaching moral theology and bioethics at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, equipping him for Church leadership.[3] Chomalí speaks Spanish and Italian.[3]web:20
Priesthood
Ordained for the Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile in 1991, Chomalí served as parish vicar, episcopal delegate for university pastoral care, and professor of moral theology and bioethics at the Faculty of Theology and Medicine.[2] He contributed to the Pontifical Academy for Life from 2001, serving on its steering committee (2010–2012).[3] His priesthood focused on education and bioethics, without affiliation to a Religious order.[7]web:20
Chomalí’s early ministry emphasized pastoral care and intellectual engagement, preparing him for episcopal roles.[4] His work with university students fostered his commitment to Christian anthropology.[2]web:6
Bishop
Appointed titular Bishop of Noba and auxiliary Bishop of Santiago on 6 April 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI, Chomalí was consecrated on 3 June 2006 by Archbishop Luigi Ventura.[1] Named Metropolitan Archbishop of Concepción on 20 April 2011, he served until his appointment as Metropolitan Archbishop of Santiago on 25 October 2023, installed on 23 December 2023.[2] He was apostolic administrator of Osorno (2014–2015), navigating the controversial appointment of Bishop Juan Barros.[3]web:20
Elevated to cardinal-priest of San Mauro Abate on 7 December 2024, Chomalí became Chile’s ninth cardinal.[4] Elected vice president of the Episcopal Conference of Chile in 2021, he promotes transparency and evangelization.[3] His moderate theology balances social justice with traditional teachings, though his role in the Osorno controversy and an unverified X post alleging abuse cover-up remain contentious.[5]post:5web:20
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile | Auxiliary Bishop | 6 April 2006 | 20 April 2011 | Titular Bishop of Noba |
| Archdiocese of Concepción | Metropolitan Archbishop | 20 April 2011 | 25 October 2023 | Apostolic Administrator of Osorno (2014–2015) |
| Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile | Metropolitan Archbishop | 25 October 2023 | Present | Ninth Chilean cardinal |
Significant events
- Ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile on 6 April 1991 by Archbishop Carlos Oviedo Cavada.[1]
- Appointed to Pontifical Academy for Life in 2001, steering committee (2010–2012).[3]
- Appointed auxiliary Bishop of Santiago and titular Bishop of Noba on 6 April 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI.[1]
- Appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Concepción on 20 April 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI.[1]
- Served as apostolic administrator of Osorno (2014–2015), addressing Juan Barros controversy.[3]
- Issued pastoral letter on abuse crisis in September 2018, calling for civil cooperation.[3]
- Elected vice president of Episcopal Conference of Chile in 2021.[3]
- Appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Santiago on 25 October 2023 by Pope Francis.[2]
- Re-authorized Vetus Ordo (Traditional Latin Mass) in Santiago in December 2024.[3]
- Elevated to cardinal-priest of San Mauro Abate on 7 December 2024.[4]
- Confirmed as eligible for the 2025 papal conclave.[6]
Books
Written about the bishop
- "Cardinal Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/fernando-natalio-chomali-garib.
- Saludes, Mark (6 October 2024). "Chilean Archbishop Chomalí named cardinal by Pope Francis". https://www.rappler.com/world/latin-america/chilean-archbishop-chomali-named-cardinal-pope-francis-october-2024/.
- "Fernando Chomalí: un cardenal para abrazar al prójimo concreto". 7 December 2024. https://www.vidanuevadigital.com/2024/12/07/fernando-chomali-garib-arzobispo-de-santiago-de-chile-creado-cardenal/.
Written by the bishop
- Chomalí Garib, Fernando (2011). Para reflexionar. Concepción: Editorial de la Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción.
- Chomalí Garib, Fernando (2019). Desde la plaza del alma. Concepción: Editorial de la Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción.
External links
- Fernando Natalio Cardinal Chomalí Garib at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib at Vatican Press
- Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile at Archdiocese of Santiago
- Fernando Chomalí: un cardenal para abrazar al prójimo concreto at Vida Nueva Digital
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Cheney, David M.. "Fernando Natalio Cardinal Chomalí Garib". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bchga.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "Cardinal Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib". 7 December 2024. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_chomali.html.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 "Cardinal Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/fernando-natalio-chomali-garib.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Saludes, Mark (6 October 2024). "Chilean Archbishop Chomalí named cardinal by Pope Francis". https://www.rappler.com/world/latin-america/chilean-archbishop-chomali-named-cardinal-pope-francis-october-2024/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 JoviNomas (21 April 2025). "Juan Carlos Cruz on Chomalí". https://t.co/keQwpkylIa.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Piqué, Elisabetta (25 April 2025). "Quiénes son los cardenales que participarán del cónclave". https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/quienes-son-los-cardenales-que-participaran-del-conclave-nid25042025/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Fernando Chomalí: un cardenal para abrazar al prójimo concreto". 7 December 2024. https://www.vidanuevadigital.com/2024/12/07/fernando-chomali-garib-arzobispo-de-santiago-de-chile-creado-cardenal/.
- ↑ "Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib". 7 October 2012. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Natalio_Chomal%C3%AD_Garib.