Robert Sarah
Stored: Robert Sarah
| His Eminence Robert Sarah | |
| Bishop of College of Cardinals | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Conakry |
| Other diocese 1: | Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments |
| Other diocese 2: | Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 20 July 1969 by Archbishop Raymond-Marie Tchidimbo |
| Consecration: | 8 December 1979 by Pope John Paul II |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 20 November 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Robert Sarah 15 June 1945 Ourous, Guinea |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Guinea |
| Education: | Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | "Sufficit tibi gratia mea" |
| Role: | Emeritus |
| Theology: | Conservative |
| Region: | West Africa |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Robert Sarah, born June 15, 1945, is a Guinean prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, known for his tenure as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (2014–2021) and his staunch conservative theology, reflected in his motto "Sufficit tibi gratia mea" ("My grace is sufficient for you"). Ordained a priest in 1969 for the Diocese of Conakry and consecrated a bishop in 1979, he served as Archbishop of Conakry (1979–2001) and held key Vatican roles, including Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (2001–2010). Elevated to cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, he participated in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis.[1] At age 79, Sarah is eligible for the 2025 conclave following Francis’ death on April 21, 2025, as one of 18 African electors among 135 cardinals, but he loses eligibility on June 15, 2025, when he turns 80.[2][3]
Sarah’s vocal opposition to progressive reforms, including same-sex blessings and mass migration, and his defense of traditional liturgy and clerical celibacy have made him a conservative icon, often compared to John Paul II and Benedict XVI, but his clashes with Francis and polarizing rhetoric limit his papal candidacy.[4][5] His books, such as *The Day is Now Far Spent*, critique Western secularism, earning conservative support on platforms like X, though he is not a frontrunner.[6][7] His academic background from the Pontifical Gregorian University informs his doctrinal rigor. As an emeritus cardinal, Sarah’s influence in the post-Francis Church hinges on his conclave vote and conservative advocacy, though his age and divisiveness reduce his chances of election.[4][8]
Biography
Birth and early life
Robert Sarah was born on June 15, 1945, in Ourous, Guinea, to a Catholic family in a predominantly Muslim region. Raised during Guinea’s colonial period under French rule, his early exposure to missionary schools sparked a vocation, leading him to enter the minor seminary in Bingerville, Ivory Coast, at age 12. His family’s faith and Guinea’s independence struggles shaped his commitment to evangelization.
Guinea’s post-independence Marxist regime under Sekou Touré influenced Sarah’s anti-communist stance. Fluent in French, Italian, and English, his intellectual aptitude foreshadowed his theological career.[9][1]
Education
Sarah studied theology at the Grand Séminaire de Nancy in France and the Séminaire Saint-Augustin in Conakry, earning a bachelor’s degree in theology. He pursued advanced studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1974–1978), obtaining a licentiate in theology, and later studied at the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Jerusalem, specializing in biblical exegesis.
His education emphasized traditional doctrine and Vatican II’s missionary call, equipping him to lead in Africa’s diverse context. Sarah’s academic rigor prepared him for Vatican roles.[1][10]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on July 20, 1969, by Archbishop Raymond-Marie Tchidimbo for the Diocese of Conakry, Sarah served as a parish priest and seminary rector in Guinea (1969–1979). He faced persecution under Touré’s regime, strengthening his resolve to defend Catholic identity.
His priesthood focused on evangelization and catechesis, navigating Guinea’s political turmoil. Sarah’s resilience and doctrinal clarity earned him episcopal appointment at age 34.[9][1]
Bishop
Consecrated Archbishop of Conakry on December 8, 1979, by Pope John Paul II, Sarah served until 2001, leading Guinea’s Church through political oppression. He was Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (2001–2010) and Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (2014–2021). Elevated to cardinal in 2010 with the title Cardinal-Deacon of San Giovanni Bosco in Via Tuscolana, he participated in the 2013 conclave.
Sarah’s conservative advocacy, including critiques of same-sex blessings and migration, has drawn conservative support but also criticism for divisiveness.[4][6] Eligible for the 2025 conclave at age 79, he is a conservative influencer, though not a frontrunner.[2][3][8][11]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Conakry | Archbishop | 8 December 1979 | 1 October 2001 | Led through political oppression |
| Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples | Secretary | 1 October 2001 | 7 October 2010 | Oversaw missionary efforts |
| Congregation for Divine Worship | Prefect | 23 November 2014 | 20 February 2021 | Promoted traditional liturgy |
Significant events
- Entered minor seminary in Bingerville in 1957.
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Conakry in 1969.
- Consecrated Archbishop of Conakry in 1979.
- Appointed Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in 2001.
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
- Participated in the 2013 conclave.
- Appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship in 2014.
- Retired as Prefect in 2021.
- Confirmed eligible for the 2025 conclave.
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books specifically about Cardinal Sarah.
Written by the bishop
- The Day is Now Far Spent by Robert Sarah, ISBN 978-1621643241
- God or Nothing by Robert Sarah, ISBN 978-1621640509
External links
- Robert Cardinal Sarah at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Biography of Cardinal Robert Sarah at Vatican Press Office
- Vatican News article on Sarah’s retirement
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Biography of Cardinal Robert Sarah". Vatican Press Office. 2025-04-24. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_sarah.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "18 African among Cardinals to elect new Pope". Nigerian Observer. 2025-04-24. https://nigerianobservernews.com/2025/04/18-african-among-cardinals-to-elect-new-pope/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Cardinal Robert Sarah eligible for conclave". holysmoke. 2025-04-21. https://t.co/mjx6yv5cqR.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "The African cardinal who terrifies Macron". The Spectator. 2025-04-25. https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-african-cardinal-who-terrifies-macron/.
- ↑ "The Vatican heads toward a conclave with 15 papal candidates already emerging". EL PAÍS English. 2025-04-22. https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-04-22/the-vatican-heads-toward-a-conclave-with-15-papal-candidates-already-emerging.html.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Pope Francis’ possible replacement: Anti-woke Cardinal Robert Sarah’s top quotes". Fox News. 2025-04-24. https://www.foxnews.com/world/pope-francis-possible-replacement-anti-woke-cardinal-robert-sarahs-top-quotes.
- ↑ "Cardinal Robert Sarah profile". xmuse_. 2025-04-21. https://t.co/GOFrBZorsL.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Who is Cardinal Robert Sarah? Favorite of Conservatives as Anti-Woke Pope". Newsweek. 2025-04-22. https://www.newsweek.com/cardinal-robert-sarah-favorite-conservatives-anti-woke-pope-1893457.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Robert Cardinal Sarah". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-04-24. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bsarah.html.
- ↑ "Cardinal Robert Sarah". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55623/cardinal-robert-sarah.
- ↑ "Cardinal Sarah retires as Prefect". Vatican News. 2021-02-20. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-02/cardinal-sarah-retires.html.