Leonardo Ulrich Steiner

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Stored: Leonardo Ulrich Steiner

His Eminence Leonardo Ulrich Steiner
Bishop of Archdiocese of Manaus
Home diocese: Diocese of Criciúma
Other diocese 1: Prelature of São Félix
Other diocese 2: Archdiocese of Brasília
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 21 January 1978 by Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns
Consecration: 16 April 2005 by Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: Leonardo Ulrich Steiner
6 November 1950
Forquilhinha, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Died:
Nationality: Brazilian
Education: Pontifical Antonianum University, Salesian Faculty of Lorena
Motto: "Verbum Caro Factum Est" (The Word Became Flesh)
Role: Diocesan
Theology: Progressive
Region: Latin America
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Eligible


Cardinal Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, O.F.M., born (1950-11-06) November 6, 1950 (age 75), is a Brazilian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop of Manaus since 2020 and the first cardinal from the Amazon region, elevated by Pope Francis in 2022.[1] A Franciscan since 1976, Steiner is renowned for his advocacy for indigenous rights, environmental protection, and social justice, notably criticizing Brazil’s deforestation policies and supporting civil unions for same-sex couples in 2014, aligning with Francis’ inclusive vision.[2] His episcopal motto, “Verbum Caro Factum Est” (The Word Became Flesh, John 1:14), reflects his incarnational spirituality, evident in his 2020 COVID-19 relief efforts in Manaus and his 2023 leadership of the Conselho Indigenista Missionário (CIMI).[3][4] At 74, Steiner is one of 21 Latin American cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, where he concelebrated Francis’ funeral Mass and voted to elect the 267th pope, emphasizing synodality and Amazonian Church models.[5][6]

A cousin of Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns, Steiner served as Bishop of São Félix (2005–2011), Auxiliary Bishop of Brasília (2011–2019), and Secretary General of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB, 2011–2019), shaping the 2019 Amazon Synod’s preparatory work.[7] His 2024 Synod on Synodality remarks highlighted the Amazon’s lay-led communities as a synodal model, advocating for women’s leadership and local ministries.[8] In April 2025, Steiner joined 133 cardinals in Rome for pre-conclave meetings, where his progressive stances on married clergy and indigenous inculturation drew attention, though his regional focus and polarizing views temper papabile speculation despite media mentions.[5][9] His roles as president of the Special Episcopal Commission for the Amazon and vice president of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon Region (CEAMA) underscore his global influence.[7]

Biography

Birth and early life

Leonardo Ulrich Steiner was born on November 6, 1950, in Forquilhinha, Santa Catarina, Brazil, the 13th of 16 children in a devout Catholic family of German descent.[1] His mother, Carlota Arns, was the sister of Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns’ father, making Arns his cousin.[3] Raised in a religious household with two siblings entering religious life, Steiner joined the Franciscan seminary in Agudos in 1963.[10]

Steiner’s early life in southern Brazil, amid German immigrant communities, shaped his commitment to social justice and Franciscan simplicity.[2] His cousin’s liberation theology influence inspired his vocation.[3]

Education

Steiner studied philosophy and theology at the Franciscan Seminary in Petrópolis (1973–1978), earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and pedagogy from the Salesian Faculty of Lorena (1982).[1] He obtained a licentiate (1998) and doctorate (2001) in philosophy from the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome, with a dissertation on Bernhard Welte’s concept of God.[4] His studies focused on inculturation and social ethics.[2]

Fluent in Portuguese, Italian, German, and likely English (used in Vatican roles, though unconfirmed), Steiner’s education prepared him for pastoral and academic leadership.[2] His philosophical training informs his ecological theology.[7]

Priesthood

Ordained a priest for the Order of Friars Minor on January 21, 1978, by Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns in Forquilhinha, Steiner served as assistant pastor in Guaratinguetá (1978–1986) and São Paulo (1981–1986), and as formator and novice master in Rodeio (1987–1995).[1] He taught philosophy at the Bom Jesus Faculty in Curitiba (2003–2005) and the Pontifical Antonianum University (1995–2003), where he was secretary general (1999–2003).[4] His ministry emphasized indigenous support and education.[7]

Steiner’s priesthood included organizing pastoral care during Manaus’ 2020 COVID-19 crisis, distributing medical supplies and meals.[7] His Franciscan charism shaped his advocacy for the marginalized.[10]

Bishop

Appointed Bishop Prelate of São Félix on February 2, 2005, by Pope John Paul II, Steiner was consecrated on April 16, 2005, by Cardinal Arns.[1] Named Auxiliary Bishop of Brasília and Titular Bishop of Tisiduo in 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI, he became Archbishop of Manaus in 2019 and cardinal in 2022, assigned the titular church of San Leonardo da Porto Maurizio ad Acilia.[1] He serves on the Council of Cardinals (2023–present).[5]

As bishop, Steiner led the 2019 Amazon Synod preparations, opposed Bolsonaro’s policies, and voted in the 2025 conclave.[7][6] His leadership promotes Amazonian synodality and indigenous rights.[8]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Prelature of São Félix Bishop Prelate 2 February 2005 21 September 2011 Succeeded Pedro Casaldáliga
Archdiocese of Brasília Auxiliary Bishop 21 September 2011 27 November 2019 Titular Bishop of Tisiduo
Archdiocese of Manaus Archbishop 27 November 2019 Present First Amazonian cardinal in 2022

Significant events

  • Entered Franciscan seminary, 1963.[1]
  • Joined Order of Friars Minor, 1972.[4]
  • Ordained priest, 1978.[1]
  • Appointed Bishop of São Félix, 2005.[1]
  • Named Auxiliary Bishop of Brasília, 2011.[1]
  • Elected CNBB Secretary General, 2011–2019.[1]
  • Advocated civil unions for same-sex couples, 2014.[2]
  • Prepared Amazon Synod, 2017–2019.[7]
  • Appointed Archbishop of Manaus, 2019.[1]
  • Organized COVID-19 relief in Manaus, 2020.[7]
  • Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2022.[1]
  • Named president of Amazon Episcopal Commission, 2022.[7]
  • Elected CIMI president, 2023.[4]
  • Joined Council of Cardinals, 2023.[5]
  • Advocated women’s leadership at Synod, 2024.[8]
  • Concelebrated Pope Francis’ funeral and voted in 2025 conclave.[6]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Steiner were identified.

Written by the bishop

  • Steiner, Leonardo Ulrich. A Aseidade: O Conceito de Deus em Bernhard Welte. [Aseity: The Concept of God in Bernhard Welte]. Doctoral dissertation, Pontifical Antonianum University, 2001. No published book version identified.

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 "Leonardo Ulrich Steiner". Wikipedia. 2022-05-30. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_Ulrich_Steiner. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Cardinal Leonardo Ulrich Steiner". The College of Cardinals Report. 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-leonardo-ulrich-steiner/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Leonardo Ulrich Steiner". Wikipedia (French). 2022-06-08. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_Ulrich_Steiner. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Leonardo Ulrich Steiner". Wikipedia (Portuguese). 2022-05-30. https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_Ulrich_Steiner. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Find out who the Amazonian cardinal tipped to succeed Pope Francis is". Revista Cenarium. 2025-04-22. https://revistacenarium.com.br/find-out-who-the-amazonian-cardinal-tipped-to-succeed-pope-francis-is/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Post by @riosdenoticias". X. 2025-04-25. https://t.co/AzVVxlq763. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 "Brazilian Archbishop Leonardo Ulrich Steiner of Manaus". Crux. 2022-05-30. https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-americas/2022/05/brazilian-archbishop-leonardo-ulrich-steiner-of-manaus. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Synod cardinal from Brazil: In the Amazon ‘everyone votes, except the bishop’". America Magazine. 2023-10-19. https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2023/10/19/synod-cardinal-brazil-amazon-everyone-votes-except-bishop-246296. 
  9. ↑ "Post by @Siete24M". X. 2025-04-30. https://t.co/rj6Rd94W8T. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "A red hat for the Amazon basin". Aleteia. 2022-08-26. https://aleteia.org/2022/08/26/a-red-hat-for-the-amazon-basin/. 
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