Bishops Details

The Late Cardinal Anthony Soter Cardinal Fernandez, DD

Late Cardinal,ARCHDIOCESE OF KUALA LUMPUR

Brief History

Anthony Soter Fernandez was the first Malaysian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and Archbishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He became the Archdiocese's second Archbishop upon his appointment on 30 July 1983 by Pope John Paul II, and was installed on 10 November 1983. He retired on 24 May 2003 and was succeeded by Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam.

Early Life
Anthony Soter Fernandez was born on the 22nd of April 1932, which was a Friday.

Anthony Soter Fernandez was ordained as a priest on 10 December 1966. He served two terms as president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei from 1987-1990 and 2000-2003.

Anthony Soter Fernandez served as Bishop of the Diocese of Penang and Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur.

Appointment as Auxiliary Bishop
Anthony Soter Fernandez became the Archdiocese's second Archbishop upon his appointment on 30 July 1983 by Pope John Paul II, and was installed on 10 November 1983. He retired on 24 May 2003 and was succeeded by Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam.

Anthony Soter Fernandez was also the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Penang, where he was Bishop from 17 February 1978, until his appointment to head the Church in Kuala Lumpur.

Appointment as Cardinal
Fernandez was created a cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory on 19 November 2016. He was the first Malaysian to be made a cardinal.

Eternal Life
Fernandez died on October 28 2020 at the Little Sisters of the Poor St. Francis Xavier Home in Cheras. He had been suffering from tongue cancer for several years. He was buried in the nave of St. John's Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur.