Vicente Bokalic Iglic
Stored: Vicente Bokalic Iglic
| His Eminence Vicente Bokalic Iglic | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Santiago del Estero | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Buenos Aires |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 1 April 1978 by Bishop Alfredo Mario Espósito-Castro |
| Consecration: | 29 May 2010 by Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Vicente Bokalic Iglic 11 June 1952 Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Argentine |
| Education: | Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina |
| Motto: | "Me envió a evangelizar a los pobres" (He Sent Me to Evangelize the Poor) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Latin America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Vicente Bokalic Iglic, C.M., born on 11 June 1952, is an Argentine prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Santiago del Estero and Primate of Argentina since July 2024 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024.[1] Born in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, to Slovenian immigrant parents, he joined the Congregation of the Mission, a Religious order, in 1970, was ordained a priest in 1978, and served as auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires (2010–2013) under then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis.[2] Known for his progressive theology, Bokalic emphasizes synodality, social justice, and outreach to the poor, aligning with Pope Francis’ vision of a missionary Church.[3] Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria Maddalena in Campo Marzio in 2024, he is Argentina’s seventh cardinal.[4]
Bokalic’s ministry includes missionary work in rural parishes, diocesan restructuring, and pastoral outreach, notably in Santiago del Estero’s indigenous communities.[5] His close ties with Pope Francis, including four years as his auxiliary Bishop, and his leadership as Provincial Superior of the Vincentians (2003–2009) underscore his influence.[2] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, Bokalic, at 72, is noted for his humility and evangelization focus, though papabile speculation in X posts lacks primary confirmation.[6] He continues to lead Santiago del Estero’s Catholics, promoting unity in a historic State/Administrative subdivision.[7]post:0,3,4,5
Biography
Birth and early life
Vicente Bokalic Iglic was born on 11 June 1952 in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, to Slovenian immigrants who arrived in 1949.[1] He attended primary school at San José de Pompeo parish school in Lanús, a City, and secondary school at the Apostolic School in Escobar.[2] His devotion to Saints, particularly Vincent de Paul, shaped his Vincentian vocation.[3]
Growing up in a working-class immigrant family, Bokalic’s early life in the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires fostered his commitment to the poor and marginalized.[4] His Slovenian heritage informs his pastoral focus on community unity.[7]web:5,9
Education
Bokalic entered the Congregation of the Mission on 1 March 1970, studying philosophy at the Jesuit Colegio Máximo in San Miguel and theology at the Seminary of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina in Buenos Aires.[2] He made his perpetual vows on 5 June 1976 and was ordained a priest on 1 April 1978 by Bishop Alfredo Mario Espósito-Castro in the Roman Rite.[1]
His academic roles included formation at the Vincentian Seminary in San Miguel, equipping him for pastoral leadership.[3] Bokalic speaks Spanish, Italian, and English.[3][](https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-vincente-bokalic-iglic-c-m/)
Priesthood
Ordained for the Congregation of the Mission in 1978, Bokalic served as vocational and youth ministry coordinator in Buenos Aires (1978–1981), parish vicar of Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa (1981–1993), formator and bursar (1983–1986), and superior of the Vincentian Seminary (1987–1990).[2] He was a missionary in Deán Funes (1994–1997), parish priest in Goya (2000–2003), Provincial Councilor (1987–1993, 1997–2003), and Provincial Superior of the Vincentians in Argentina (2003–2009).[4]web:2,9
His priesthood focused on missionary work, formation, and leadership, preparing him for episcopal roles.[7] Bokalic’s service in rural and urban parishes emphasized evangelization.[5][](https://www.eldiariosur.com/lanus/2025/4/25/un-cardenal-oriundo-de-lanus-participa-en-el-conclave-es-elegible-como-papa-72013.html)
Bishop
Appointed titular Bishop of Summa and auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires on 15 March 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, Bokalic was consecrated on 29 May 2010 by then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio.[1] Named Bishop of Santiago del Estero on 23 December 2013 by Pope Francis, he was installed on 9 March 2014.[2] On 22 July 2024, the Diocese was elevated to an archdiocese, and Bokalic became its first Metropolitan Archbishop and Primate of Argentina.[7][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicente_Bokalic_Iglic)
Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria Maddalena in Campo Marzio on 7 December 2024, Bokalic became Argentina’s seventh cardinal.[4] His progressive theology, emphasizing synodality and the poor, aligns with Pope Francis, though papabile speculation remains unverified.[5]post:0,3
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Buenos Aires | Auxiliary Bishop | 15 March 2010 | 23 December 2013 | Titular Bishop of Summa |
| Diocese of Santiago del Estero | Diocesan Bishop | 23 December 2013 | 22 July 2024 | Installed 9 March 2014 |
| Archdiocese of Santiago del Estero | Metropolitan Archbishop | 22 July 2024 | Present | Primate of Argentina, seventh Argentine cardinal |
Significant events
- Joined the Congregation of the Mission, a Religious order, on 1 March 1970.[1]
- Made perpetual vows on 5 June 1976.[2]
- Ordained priest on 1 April 1978 by Bishop Alfredo Mario Espósito-Castro.[1]
- Served as Provincial Superior of the Vincentians in Argentina (2003–2009).[4]
- Appointed auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires and titular Bishop of Summa on 15 March 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI.[1]
- Consecrated by Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 29 May 2010.[2]
- Appointed Bishop of Santiago del Estero on 23 December 2013 by Pope Francis.[2]
- Installed as Bishop of Santiago del Estero on 9 March 2014.[7]
- Appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Santiago del Estero and Primate of Argentina on 22 July 2024.[7]
- Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria Maddalena in Campo Marzio on 7 December 2024.[4]
- Confirmed as eligible for the 2025 papal conclave.[6]
Books
Written about the bishop
- "Cardinal Vicente Bokalic Iglic, C.M.". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/vincente-bokalic-iglic-c-m.
- "Monsignor Vicente Bokalič Iglic CM to be Made Cardinal". 9 October 2024. https://famvin.org/en/2024/10/09/monsignor-vicente-bokalic-iglic-cm-to-be-made-cardinal-by-pope-francis-on-december-8/.
- Henning, Christophe (7 December 2024). "Cardinal argentin, Mgr Vicente Bokalic Iglic". https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Cardinal-argentin-Mgr-Vicente-Bokalic-Iglic-2024-12-07-1201284567.
Written by the bishop
- No books solely authored by Cardinal Vicente Bokalic Iglic have been identified in available sources, though he has written pastoral letters and articles on evangelization and social justice.[3]
External links
- Vicente Cardinal Bokalic Iglic, C.M. at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal Vicente Bokalic Iglic, C.M. at Vatican Press
- Archdiocese of Santiago del Estero at Archdiocese of Santiago del Estero
- Pope Francis Appoints Monsignor Bokalic Iglic CM as Primate of Argentina at FAMVIN News
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Cheney, David M.. "Vicente Cardinal Bokalic Iglic, C.M.". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bokalic.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "Cardinal Vicente Bokalic Iglic, C.M.". 7 December 2024. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_bokalic.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Cardinal Vicente Bokalic Iglic, C.M.". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/vincente-bokalic-iglic-c-m.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "Monsignor Vicente Bokalič Iglic CM to be Made Cardinal". 9 October 2024. https://famvin.org/en/2024/10/09/monsignor-vicente-bokalic-iglic-cm-to-be-made-cardinal-by-pope-francis-on-december-8/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Cardinal Vicente Bokalic Iglic". https://conclavoscope.com/cardinals/vicente-bokalic-iglic.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 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/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 "Pope Francis Appoints Monsignor Bokalic Iglic CM as Primate of Argentina". 23 July 2024. https://famvin.org/en/2024/07/23/pope-francis-appoints-monsignor-bokalic-iglic-cm-as-primate-of-argentina/.