Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera
Stored: Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera
| His Eminence Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Guayaquil | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Cuenca |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 8 September 1983 by Bishop Serafín Luis Alberto Cartagena Ocaña |
| Consecration: | 4 July 2009 by Archbishop Giacomo Guido Ottonello |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera 11 October 1955 Azogues, Cañar Province, Ecuador |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Ecuadorian |
| Education: | Pontifical Antonianum University |
| Motto: | "Verbum Domini Nuntiantes" (Proclaiming the Word of the Lord) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Latin America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, O.F.M., born on 11 October 1955, is an Ecuadorian prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Guayaquil since 2015 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024.[1] Born in Azogues, Cañar Province, Ecuador, he joined the Order of Friars Minor, a Religious order, in 1975, was ordained a priest in 1983, and served as Metropolitan Archbishop of Cuenca from 2009 to 2015.[2] Known for his progressive theology, Cabrera emphasizes peace, dialogue, and social justice, notably mediating during Ecuador’s 2019 indigenous protests and promoting ecumenism as president of the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference since 2020.[3] Elevated to cardinal-priest of Sacra Famiglia di Nazareth a Centocelle in 2024, he is Ecuador’s sixth cardinal.[4]
Cabrera’s ministry includes leadership in parishes, Franciscan formation, and academic roles, with a doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical Antonianum University.[2] As a member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life since January 2025, he shapes religious life globally.[5] His 2012 clash with President Rafael Correa over religious symbols in a hospital highlighted his defense of Catholic identity.[5] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, Cabrera, at 69, is noted for his conciliatory approach, though papabile speculation lacks primary confirmation.[6] He continues to lead Guayaquil’s Catholics, fostering peace in a State/Administrative subdivision facing economic and social challenges.[7]web:17post:1
Biography
Birth and early life
Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera was born on 11 October 1955 in Azogues, Cañar Province, Ecuador, in the urban parish of Bayas.[1] He attended primary school in Azogues, a City, and secondary school at the Franciscan Minor Seminary and Colegio Fiscal Juan Bautista Vázquez in Azogues.[2] His devotion to Saints, particularly Francis of Assisi, shaped his Franciscan vocation.[3]
Growing up in a Catholic family in Ecuador’s Andean region, Cabrera’s early life fostered his commitment to dialogue and service.[4] His education in Azogues grounded his later philosophical and pastoral work.[7]web:8,17
Education
Cabrera entered the Order of Friars Minor on 1 October 1975 in Quito, making his first profession on 24 September 1976 and solemn vows on 4 September 1982.[1] He studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador in Quito and earned a licentiate and doctorate in philosophy at the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome (1990–1994), with his dissertation on St. Bonaventure’s theory of ideas.[5] He was ordained a priest on 8 September 1983 by Bishop Serafín Luis Alberto Cartagena Ocaña in the Roman Rite.[1]
His academic roles included teaching theology and Franciscan spirituality at the Cardenal Bernardino Echeverría Institute in Quito, equipping him for leadership.[2] Cabrera speaks Spanish and Italian.[3]web:2,14
Priesthood
Ordained for the Order of Friars Minor in 1983, Cabrera served as assistant novice master (1983–1985) and novice master (1985–1990) in Riobamba, provincial council member (1985–1988, 1997–2000), and director of the Cardenal Bernardino Echeverría Philosophical-Theological Institute (1998–2000).[2] He was provincial superior of Ecuador’s Franciscans (2000–2003), secretary for ecumenism at the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference (1996–2003), and general definitor for Latin American Franciscan provinces in Rome (2004–2009).[5]web:14,20
His priesthood focused on formation, ecumenism, and leadership, preparing him for episcopal roles.[4] Cabrera’s work in Quito’s parishes emphasized Franciscan simplicity.[3]web:11
Bishop
Appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Cuenca on 20 April 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI, Cabrera was consecrated on 4 July 2009 by Archbishop Giacomo Guido Ottonello, with Archbishop Antonio Arregui and Archbishop Raúl Eduardo Vela Chiriboga as co-consecrators.[1] Named Metropolitan Archbishop of Guayaquil on 24 September 2015 by Pope Francis, he was installed on 5 December 2015.[2] He served as apostolic administrator of Daule (2022) and president of the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference (2020–present).[5]web:14
Elevated to cardinal-priest of Sacra Famiglia di Nazareth a Centocelle on 7 December 2024, Cabrera became Ecuador’s sixth cardinal.[4] Appointed to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life in January 2025, he influences religious life.[5] His progressive theology, focusing on dialogue and justice, aligns with Pope Francis, though his 2012 clash with Correa drew conservative support.[7]web:17
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Cuenca | Metropolitan Archbishop | 20 April 2009 | 24 September 2015 | Received pallium in 2010 |
| Archdiocese of Guayaquil | Metropolitan Archbishop | 24 September 2015 | Present | Sixth Ecuadorian cardinal |
Significant events
- Joined the Order of Friars Minor, a Religious order, on 1 October 1975.[1]
- Ordained priest on 8 September 1983 by Bishop Serafín Luis Alberto Cartagena Ocaña.[1]
- Earned doctorate in philosophy from Pontifical Antonianum University in 1994.[5]
- Served as provincial superior of Ecuador’s Franciscans (2000–2003).[2]
- Appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Cuenca on 20 April 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI.[1]
- Criticized President Rafael Correa in 2012 for removing religious symbols from a hospital.[5]
- Appointed to Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life on 29 March 2014.[5]
- Appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Guayaquil on 24 September 2015 by Pope Francis.[2]
- Mediated indigenous protests in October 2019, advocating national reconciliation.[5]
- Elected president of Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference on 11 November 2020.[4]
- Served as apostolic administrator of Daule from 17 March to 25 June 2022.[5]
- Elevated to cardinal-priest of Sacra Famiglia di Nazareth a Centocelle on 7 December 2024.[4]
- Appointed to Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life on 11 January 2025.[5]
Books
Written about the bishop
- Henning, Christophe (7 October 2024). "Mgr Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, nouveau cardinal d’Équateur". https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Mgr-Luis-Gerardo-Cabrera-Herrera-nouveau-cardinal-Equateur-2024-10-07-1201284567.
- "Cardinal Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/luis-gerardo-cabrera-herrera.
- "Mons. Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, OFM nuevo cardenal". 6 October 2024. https://www.conferenciaepiscopal.ec/mons-luis-gerardo-cabrera-herrera-ofm-nuevo-cardenal/.
Written by the bishop
- No books solely authored by Cardinal Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera have been identified in available sources, though he has written articles on ecumenism and Franciscan spirituality.[3]
External links
- Luis Gerardo Cardinal Cabrera Herrera, O.F.M. at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, O.F.M. at Vatican Press
- Archdiocese of Guayaquil at Archdiocese of Guayaquil
- Mons. Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, OFM nuevo cardenal at Conferencia Episcopal Ecuatoriana
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Cheney, David M.. "Luis Gerardo Cardinal Cabrera Herrera, O.F.M.". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcabrera.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Cardinal Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, O.F.M.". 7 December 2024. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_cabrera.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Cardinal Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/luis-gerardo-cabrera-herrera.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "Mons. Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, OFM nuevo cardenal". 6 October 2024. https://www.conferenciaepiscopal.ec/mons-luis-gerardo-cabrera-herrera-ofm-nuevo-cardenal/.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 "Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera". 1 July 2012. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Gerardo_Cabrera_Herrera.
- ↑ 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 Henning, Christophe (7 October 2024). "Mgr Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, nouveau cardinal d’Équateur". https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Mgr-Luis-Gerardo-Cabrera-Herrera-nouveau-cardinal-Equateur-2024-10-07-1201284567.