Ladislav Nemet
Stored: Ladislav Nemet
| His Eminence Ladislav Nemet | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Belgrade | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Subotica |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Zrenjanin |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 1 May 1983 by Bishop Jožef Kvas |
| Consecration: | 5 July 2008 by Cardinal Péter Erdő |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Ladislav Nemet 7 September 1956 Odžaci, Vojvodina, Serbia, Yugoslavia |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Serbia |
| Education: | Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | "In Verbo Tuo" (At Your Word) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Ladislav Nemet, S.V.D., born on 7 September 1956, is a Serbian prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Archbishop of Belgrade since 2022 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024.[1] Born in Odžaci, Vojvodina, Serbia, into an ethnic Hungarian family, he joined the Society of the Divine Word, a Religious order, in 1977, was ordained a priest in 1983, and served as Bishop of Zrenjanin from 2008 to 2022.[2] Known for his progressive theology, Nemet champions synodality, interreligious dialogue, and ecumenism, notably with the Serbian Orthodox Church, in a Country with an Orthodox majority.[3][4] As the first Serbian cardinal, his elevation highlights the Church’s focus on minority Catholic communities.[5]
Nemet’s ministry emphasizes pastoral care, education, and unity, seen in his reorganization of parishes in Zrenjanin’s Diocese and his leadership in the International Episcopal Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius since 2016.[3] A member of the Dicastery for Bishops since 2024, he influences episcopal appointments globally.[2] His international experience includes missionary work in the Philippines, teaching in Poland, Austria, and Croatia, and diplomatic collaboration in Vienna.[6] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, Nemet, at 68, is noted for his ecumenical efforts, though papabile speculation lacks primary confirmation.[7] He continues to lead Belgrade’s Catholics, fostering dialogue in a multi-ethnic State/Administrative subdivision.[3]
Biography
Birth and early life
Ladislav Nemet was born on 7 September 1956 in Odžaci, Vojvodina, Serbia, then part of Yugoslavia, to an ethnic Hungarian family.[1] He attended the Paulinum diocesan grammar school in Subotica, a City, from 1971 to 1976, where his vocational calling emerged.[6] His upbringing in multi-ethnic Vojvodina shaped his commitment to ecumenism and dialogue.[3]
Growing up in a Catholic minority region, Nemet’s early life under communist Yugoslavia influenced his focus on community-building and interreligious harmony.[8] His Hungarian identity remains central, as he refers to himself as Hungarian.[1]
Education
Nemet joined the Society of the Divine Word, a Religious order, in 1977, studying philosophy and theology at the Seminary in Pieniężno, Poland.[2] He earned a master’s degree from the Catholic University of Lublin in 1983 and a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1987.[6] He made his solemn profession on 8 September 1982 and was ordained a priest on 1 May 1983 by Bishop Jožef Kvas in Odžaci.[1]
His academic roles included teaching missiology and theology in Austria and Croatia, equipping him for leadership in diverse contexts.[3] Nemet’s multilingual skills (Hungarian, Serbian, English, German, Polish, Italian, Croatian) enhanced his global ministry.[9]
Priesthood
Ordained for the Society of the Divine Word in 1983, Nemet served as a priest in Yugoslavia (1983–1985), a university chaplain in the Philippines (1987–1994), and a theology professor in Mödling, Austria (1994–2000).[2] He collaborated with the Holy See’s mission at the United Nations in Vienna (2000–2004), served as provincial of the Hungarian province of his order (2004–2008), and was secretary general of the Hungarian Episcopal Conference (2006–2008).[6]
His priesthood focused on education, missionary work, and ecumenism, notably in the Philippines, where he was loved at the University of San Carlos in Cebu.[8] Nemet’s international experience prepared him for leading a minority Catholic Diocese.[3]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Zrenjanin on 23 April 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI, Nemet was consecrated on 5 July 2008 by Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, in the Roman Rite.[1] He reorganized Zrenjanin’s parishes, reducing their number due to an aging, emigrating population, and held a diocesan synod (2017–2021).[10] Named Archbishop of Belgrade on 5 November 2022, he was installed on 10 December 2022.[2]
Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria Stella Maris on 7 December 2024, Nemet became Serbia’s first cardinal.[5] Appointed to the Dicastery for Bishops in 2024, he shapes episcopal appointments.[2] His progressive theology, emphasizing synodality and dialogue with the Serbian Orthodox Church, aligns with Pope Francis’ vision.[4]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Zrenjanin | Diocesan Bishop | 23 April 2008 | 5 November 2022 | Reorganized parishes, held synod |
| Archdiocese of Belgrade | Metropolitan Archbishop | 5 November 2022 | Present | First Serbian cardinal |
Significant events
- Joined the Society of the Divine Word, a Religious order, in 1977.[2]
- Made solemn profession on 8 September 1982.[1]
- Ordained priest on 1 May 1983 by Bishop Jožef Kvas in Odžaci.[1]
- Earned doctorate in dogmatic theology from Pontifical Gregorian University in 1987.[6]
- Served as university chaplain in the Philippines (1987–1994).[8]
- Taught theology in Mödling, Austria (1994–2000).[2]
- Collaborated with Holy See’s mission in Vienna (2000–2004).[2]
- Became provincial of Hungarian Society of the Divine Word in 2004.[3]
- Elected secretary general of Hungarian Episcopal Conference in 2006.[3]
- Appointed Bishop of Zrenjanin on 23 April 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI.[1]
- Elected secretary general of International Episcopal Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius in 2011.[10]
- Elected president of International Episcopal Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius in 2016, re-elected in 2021.[2]
- Elected Vice President of Council of European Bishops’ Conferences in 2021.[6]
- Appointed Archbishop of Belgrade on 5 November 2022 by Pope Francis.[2]
- Elevated to cardinal on 7 December 2024, first from Serbia.[5]
- Appointed to Dicastery for Bishops in 2024.[2]
- Confirmed as eligible for the 2025 papal conclave.[7]
Books
Written about the bishop
- "Cardinal Ladislav Nemet". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/ladislav-nemet.
- Almendras, Jennifer (25 April 2025). "Cardenal Ladislav Nemet" (in es). https://verdadenlibertad.com/cardenal-ladislav-nemet/.
- "Belgrade Archbishop Nemet was elected cardinal, the first in the history of the Catholic Church in Serbia". 7 December 2024. https://kossev.info/belgrade-archbishop-nemet-was-elected-cardinal-the-first-in-the-history-of-the-catholic-church-in-serbia/.
Written by the bishop
- No books or major publications by Cardinal Ladislav Nemet have been identified in available sources, though he has contributed articles and interviews on synodality and ecumenism.[3]
External links
- Ladislav Cardinal Nemet, S.V.D. at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal Ladislav Nemet, S.V.D. at Vatican Press
- Archbishop at Beogradska nadbiskupija
- Ladislav NEMET, CCEE Vice President, created Cardinal at Consiglio Conferenze Episcopali Europee
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Cheney, David M.. "Ladislav Cardinal Nemet, S.V.D.". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bnemet.html.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 "Cardinal Ladislav Nemet, S.V.D.". 7 December 2024. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_nemet.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 "Cardinal Ladislav Nemet". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/ladislav-nemet.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Cardinal Ladislav Nemet". https://conclavoscope.com/cardinals/ladislav-nemet.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Archbishop of Belgrade Ladislav Nemet Soon to Become the First Cardinal in the History of the Catholic Church in Serbia". 7 October 2024. https://cordmagazine.com/country-in-focus/serbia/archbishop-of-belgrade-ladislav-nemet-soon-to-become-the-first-cardinal-in-the-history-of-the-catholic-church-in-serbia/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "Ladislav NEMET, CCEE Vice President, created Cardinal". https://www.ccee.eu/ladislav-nemet-ccee-vice-president-created-cardinal/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 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/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Serbia’s first cardinal was ‘very much loved’ chaplain at Cebu university". 10 October 2024. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/serbia-first-cardinal-ladislav-nemet-belgrade-archbishop/.
- ↑ "Archbishop". 14 October 2017. https://kc.org.rs/en/archbishop/.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Ladislav Nemet". 28 May 2012. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladislav_Nemet.