Kevin Joseph Farrell
Stored: Kevin Joseph Farrell
| His Eminence Kevin Joseph Farrell | |
| Bishop of Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Washington |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Dallas |
| Other diocese 2: | Archdiocese of Washington |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 24 December 1978 by Cardinal Eduardo Pironio |
| Consecration: | 11 February 2002 by Cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 19 November 2016 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Kevin Joseph Farrell 2 September 1947 Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Irish-American |
| Education: | Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | "In Caritate Serviamus" (Let Us Serve in Charity) |
| Role: | Curial |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Kevin Joseph Farrell, born on 2 September 1947, is an Irish-born American prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life since 2016, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church since 2019, and president of the Supreme Court of Vatican City since 2024.[1] Born in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland, he joined the Legionaries of Christ, a Religious order, in 1966, was ordained a priest in 1978, and served as auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington (2002–2007) and Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas (2007–2016).[2] Following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April 2025, Farrell, as Camerlengo, serves as regent of Vatican City until a new pope is elected.[3] Known for his moderate theology, he promotes pastoral care for families and laity, though his proximity to Theodore McCarrick and a 2018 controversy over the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) have drawn scrutiny.[4]
Elevated to cardinal-deacon of San Giuliano Martire in 2016, Farrell has held key Vatican roles, including president of the Commission for Confidential Matters (2020) and the Committee for Investments (2022).[2] His leadership of the 2018 WMOF in Dublin faced criticism from former Irish President Mary McAleese, who called it a “right-wing rally,” a claim Farrell rejected, emphasizing inclusivity.[5] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave at age 77, Farrell’s role as Camerlengo involves managing Vatican operations and conclave preparations, as noted in X posts, though papabile speculation is absent.[6] He continues to shape Vatican policy, focusing on laity and family life.[7]
Biography
Birth and early life
Kevin Joseph Farrell was born on 2 September 1947 in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland, the second of four sons, to Thomas and Carmel Farrell.[1] He attended St Joseph’s parish school and Drimnagh Castle Secondary School under the Irish Christian Brothers in Dublin, a major City.[2] His older brother, Bishop Brian Farrell, serves as secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.[4] Devotion to Saints, particularly Patrick, shaped his vocation.[8]
Raised in a devout Catholic family, Farrell’s early life in Ireland’s religious culture fostered his commitment to pastoral ministry.[3] His move to the United States in 1984 reflected his adaptability, later gaining U.S. citizenship.[7]
Education
Farrell entered the Legionaries of Christ Seminary in Ireland in 1966, studying at the University of Salamanca in Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, earning a Master of Philosophy and a Licentiate in Theology.[1] He also attended the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, receiving a Master of Theology in dogmatic theology (1976) and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in pastoral theology (1977).[5] He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame (1980s) and received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Notre Dame in 2017.[2] He was ordained a priest for the Legionaries of Christ on 24 December 1978 by Cardinal Eduardo Pironio in the Roman Rite.[1]
His academic roles included teaching bioethics and social ethics at the University of Monterrey, equipping him for Church leadership.[3] Farrell speaks English, Irish, Spanish, and Italian.[8]
Priesthood
Ordained for the Legionaries of Christ in 1978, Farrell served as a chaplain at the University of Monterrey in Mexico (1978–1983), conducting seminars in bioethics.[2] Leaving the Religious order in 1983, he was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Washington in 1984, serving as associate pastor at St. Peter’s in Olney, Maryland (1984), St. Bartholomew in Bethesda (1984–1985), and St. Thomas the Apostle in Washington, D.C. (1984–1985).[1] He was director of the Spanish Catholic Center (1985–1988), acting director of Catholic Charities (1988), secretary for financial affairs (1989–2001), and pastor of Annunciation (2000–2002).[3] Raised to monsignor in 1995, he became vicar general in 2001.[5]
His priesthood focused on pastoral care, administration, and Hispanic ministry, preparing him for episcopal roles.[4] His financial expertise aided his later Vatican roles.[8]
Bishop
Appointed titular Bishop of Rusuccuru and auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington on 28 December 2001 by Pope John Paul II, Farrell was consecrated on 11 February 2002 by Cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick.[1] Named Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas on 6 March 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI, he was installed on 1 May 2007.[2] Appointed prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life on 17 August 2016 by Pope Francis, he was elevated to cardinal-deacon of San Giuliano Martire on 19 November 2016.[5] Named Camerlengo on 14 February 2019, president of the Commission for Confidential Matters (2020), Committee for Investments (2022), and Supreme Court of Vatican City (2024), he became regent of Vatican City after Pope Francis’ death on 21 April 2025.[7]
His moderate theology balances pastoral inclusivity with Church teaching, though his 2018 WMOF role and McCarrick ties drew criticism.[4] An X post alleging financial misconduct is unverified.[9]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notesroman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Washington | Auxiliary Bishop | 28 December 2001 | 6 March 2007 | Titular Bishop of Rusuccuru |
| Diocese of Dallas | Diocesan Bishop | 6 March 2007 | 17 August 2016 | Installed 1 May 2007 |
| Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life | Prefect | 17 August 2016 | Present | Camerlengo since 2019, Vatican regent since 2025 |
Significant events
- Joined the Legionaries of Christ, a Religious order, in 1966.[1]
- Ordained priest on 24 December 1978 by Cardinal Eduardo Pironio.[1]
- Incardinated into the Archdiocese of Washington in 1984.[3]
- Appointed auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington and titular Bishop of Rusuccuru on 28 December 2001 by Pope John Paul II.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas on 6 March 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI.[2]
- Appointed prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life on 17 August 2016 by Pope Francis.[5]
- Elevated to cardinal-deacon of San Giuliano Martire on 19 November 2016.[5]
- Led the 2018 World Meeting of Families in Dublin, facing criticism from Mary McAleese.[5]
- Appointed Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church on 14 February 2019.[7]
- Repaid $29,000 to the Diocese of West Virginia in June 2019, donated by Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, for apartment renovations.[8]
- Appointed president of the Commission for Confidential Matters on 29 September 2020.[2]
- Appointed president of the Committee for Investments on 7 June 2022.[8]
- Appointed president of the Supreme Court of Vatican City on 1 January 2024.[3]
- Announced the death of Pope Francis and assumed regency of Vatican City on 21 April 2025.[7]
Books
Written about the bishop
- Henning, Christophe (17 October 2024). "Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell". https://cardinaux.la-croix.com/cardinal/kevin-joseph-farrell.
- "Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/kevin-joseph-farrell.
- "What we know about Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican’s interim manager". 21 April 2025. https://abcnews.go.com/International/cardinal-kevin-farrell-vaticans-interim-manager-pope-elected/story?id=109468592.
Written by the bishop
- No books solely authored by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell have been identified in available sources, though he has written articles on family pastoral care and laity engagement.[4]
External links
- Kevin Joseph Cardinal Farrell at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell at Vatican Press
- Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life at Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life
- Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the acting head of the Vatican? at BBC
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Cheney, David M.. "Kevin Joseph Cardinal Farrell". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bfarrellk.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell". 19 November 2016. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_farrell.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "What we know about Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican’s interim manager". 21 April 2025. https://abcnews.go.com/International/cardinal-kevin-farrell-vaticans-interim-manager-pope-elected/story?id=109468592.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/kevin-joseph-farrell.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 "Kevin Farrell". 27 April 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Farrell.
- ↑ 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 7.3 7.4 "Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the acting head of the Vatican?". 21 April 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3ejy4k8d7no.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "Kevin Farrell". 27 March 2011. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Farrell.
- ↑ "Cardinal Farrell Faces Questions on Financial Transparency". 15 March 2025. https://infovaticana.com/2025/03/15/cardinal-farrell-faces-questions-on-financial-transparency/.