Lazarus You Heung-sik

Stored: Lazarus You Heung-sik, Lazarus You Heung-sik

His Eminence Lazarus You Heung-sik
Bishop of
Home diocese:	Diocese of Daejeon
Other diocese 1:
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination:	9 December 1979 by Bishop Bartholomew Han Yong-yeop
Consecration:	9 February 2004 by Archbishop Paul Ri Moun-hi
Rank:	Cardinal
Created cardinal:	27 August 2022 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born:	You Heung-sik (1951-11-17) November 17, 1951 Nonsan, South Chungcheong, South Korea
Died:
Nationality:	South Korean
Education:	Pontifical Lateran University
Motto:	Caritas Christi Urget Nos
Role:	Curial
Theology:	Moderate
Region:	East Asia
Rite:	Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility:	Eligible

Lazarus You Heung-sik, born (1951-11-17) November 17, 1951, is a South Korean Catholic cardinal and Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy since 2021. A member of the Focolare Movement, he was Bishop of Daejeon from 2003 to 2021 and the first Korean to serve as a Vatican prefect. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022, he has promoted seminary reforms, inter-Korean reconciliation, and synodality within the Roman Rite. Following Pope Francis’ death in April 2025, he resigned as Prefect and emerged as a noted figure in the 2025 papal conclave, with some sources highlighting his global appeal as a potential papal candidate.

Born in Nonsan, South Chungcheong, You lost his father during the Korean War, shaping his commitment to peace and charity. His leadership in Daejeon included four visits to North Korea to foster dialogue, and as Prefect, he has emphasized inclusive clergy formation and combatting clericalism. Recent attention on his potential papacy reflects the Church’s growing diversity, particularly in Asia, though such speculation remains unverified.

Biography

Birth and early life

Lazarus You Heung-sik was born on (1951-11-17) November 17, 1951 in Nonsan, South Chungcheong, South Korea, the youngest of three children. Orphaned after his father’s death in the Korean War, he was raised by his mother in poverty, shaping his empathy for the marginalized. He adopted the name “Lazarus” at confirmation, inspired by the Saint Lazarus, symbolizing resurrection and hope.

His early life in post-war Korea instilled a commitment to peace, evident in his later North Korean visits. Joining the Focolare Movement, a Vatican-recognized lay organization emphasizing unity, further shaped his ministry, aligning with his focus on reconciliation and charity.

Education

You studied at Seoul’s Catholic University from 1972 to 1976, earning a degree in theology. He pursued further studies at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, obtaining a licentiate and doctorate in dogmatic theology by 1985, with a dissertation on Christology and ecumenism. His Roman education, supported by the Focolare Movement, deepened his global perspective and commitment to Vatican II’s vision.

His academic focus on theology and ecumenism, combined with fluency in Korean, English, and Italian, equipped him for leadership in a growing Korean Church. His studies emphasized pastoral care and dialogue, themes central to his later reforms as Prefect.

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on 9 December 1979 by Bishop Bartholomew Han Yong-yeop for the Diocese of Daejeon, You served as a parish priest and director of the diocesan youth apostolate from 1980 to 1987. He was a professor and rector at Daejeon’s Catholic University (1987–2003), fostering vocations and lay involvement.

His priesthood focused on youth ministry and education, reflecting South Korea’s young, tech-savvy Catholic population. His Focolare ties emphasized communal spirituality, influencing his later advocacy for inclusive clergy formation and inter-Korean dialogue.

Bishop

Appointed Bishop of Daejeon on 1 July 2003 by Pope John Paul II, You was consecrated on 9 February 2004 by Archbishop Paul Ri Moun-hi, with Bishops Joseph Kyeong Kap-ryong and Vincent Ri Pyung-ho as co-consecrators. He served until 2021, promoting inter-Korean exchanges with four visits to North Korea and founding diocesan programs for the poor.

Named titular Archbishop of Vescovana and Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy on 2 June 2021 by Pope Francis, he took office on 11 August 2021, becoming the first Korean Vatican prefect. Elevated to cardinal on 27 August 2022, he received the deaconry of Gesù Buon Pastore alla Montagnola. He resigned as Prefect in April 2025 following Pope Francis’ death. His reforms focused on seminary inclusivity and combatting clericalism, earning global attention as a potential papal contender, though such speculation is unverified.

Diocese	Role	Start Date	End Date	Notes
Daejeon	Bishop	1 July 2003	2 June 2021	Appointed by Pope John Paul II; resigned to become Prefect
Vescovana	Titular Archbishop	2 June 2021	Present	Appointed by Pope Francis; elevated to cardinal in 2022

Significant events

• Entered Seoul’s Catholic University in 1972.
• Ordained priest for the Diocese of Daejeon by Bishop Bartholomew Han Yong-yeop on 9 December 1979.
• Served as professor and rector at Daejeon’s Catholic University from 1987 to 2003.
• Appointed Bishop of Daejeon by Pope John Paul II on 1 July 2003, consecrated on 9 February 2004.
• Made four visits to North Korea to promote inter-Korean dialogue between 2005 and 2018.
• Named titular Archbishop of Vescovana and Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy by Pope Francis on 2 June 2021, taking office on 11 August 2021.
• Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 27 August 2022, with the deaconry of Gesù Buon Pastore alla Montagnola.
• Resigned as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy in April 2025 following Pope Francis’ death.
• Noted as a potential papal contender in the 2025 conclave, reflecting Asia’s growing role in the Church.

Books

Written about the bishop

• No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik have been identified as of May 2025.

Written by the bishop

• No known books or publications authored by Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik have been identified as of May 2025.

External links

• Lazarus Cardinal You Heung-sik, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
• YOU HEUNG-SIK Card. Lazarus, Vatican Press Office
• Cardinal Lazarus You speculated as possible contender for pope, The Korea Herald
• Korean Cardinal You Heung-sik named top contender to succeed Pope Francis, Korea JoongAng Daily

References

• • Cargo Note**: The infobox field `home_diocese` is likely defined as a "Page" type in the

Stored: Lazarus You Heung-sik, Lazarus You Heung-sik

Lazarus You Heung-sik
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:

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