The Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Juba, His Grace Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla was named a Cardinal by Pope Francis on Sunday.
Archbishop Ameyu is nominated alongside 20 other new cardinals and is expected to be installed in a ceremony known as “The consistory” held on 30th September this year in the Vatican.
The 86-year-old Francis announced on Sunday to pilgrims and tourists at St. Peter’s Square.
It will be the ninth consistory called by the Pope since his election 10 years ago as the first pontiff from Latin America.
The Holy Father urges Christians to pray for the new Cardinals, so confirming their adhesion to Christ will help him in the ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of the entire Holy People.
“Let us pray for the new Cardinals, so that, confirming their adhesion to Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest, they might help me in my ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of the entire Holy People faithful to God,” Pope stated.
Archbishop Martin was ordained as a bishop of Torit in March 2019 and installed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Juba in March 2020 and has been a bishop for 4 years.
He was ordained as a priest of Torit Diocese in April 1991 and has served in various capacities in the Catholic Church.
The Archbishop pursued and obtained a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Urban University in 1997
Archbishop Martin’s elevation to the rank of cardinal is a recognition of his service to the Church and his leadership in South Sudan.
The new cardinals come from countries including the United States, Italy, Argentina, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain, Colombia, South Sudan, Hong Kong, Poland, Malaysia, Tanzania, and Portugal.
Eighteen of the 21 are under 80 and can enter an eventual secret conclave to choose the next Pope, in which capacity they will be known as cardinal electors.
After the September consistory, there will be 137 cardinal electors, about 73 percent of them chosen by Pope Francis.
Francis has also increased the possibility that the next pope will come from Asia or Africa, having consistently named cardinal electors from those continents and giving less importance than his predecessor to countries in Europe.
The other three new cardinals, who are above 80 years will vote in a conclave.
All cardinals, regardless of age, are allowed to participate in pre-conclave meetings, known as General Congregations, giving them a say in the type of person they think the younger cardinals should choose.
Cardinals rank second only to the pope in the Church hierarchy and serve as his closest advisers.