62-year-old Indonesian Franciscan Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur has requested not to be created a cardinal in the upcoming December Consistory.
Appointed by Pope Francis as the Bishop of Bogor in 2013, Bishop Syukur expressed his desire to continue his personal growth “in service to the Church and the people of God,” according to Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office. This choice reflects his commitment to deepening his priestly life.
As a result of Bishop Syukur’s decision, the number of cardinals to receive the red hat from Pope Francis will be reduced to 20 instead of 21.
Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur, born on May 17, 1962, in Ranggu on the Island of Flores, Indonesia, has a rich background in theology and leadership. After his early education at the Pius X Minor Seminary and philosophical studies in Jakarta, he completed his theological education in Yogyakarta. He made his solemn profession with the Order of Friars Minor in 1989 and was ordained a priest in 1991.
Throughout his ministry, Bishop Syukur has held various pastoral and leadership roles, including serving as a priest in West Papua and later pursuing advanced studies in spirituality in Rome. He has been involved in leadership within the Franciscan community and served as Provincial Minister for the Order in Indonesia before his appointment as bishop.
The Consistory, set to take place with representatives from all over the world, will fall before the opening of the 2025 Jubilee of Hope and after the conclusion of the Second Session of the Synod on Synodality in the Vatican.
Pope Francis’ most recent consistory to create new Cardinals had taken place ahead of the First Session of the Synod on Synodality on 30 September 2023.