Cardinal Yu Heung-sik Officially Ordained... Korea's Fourth Cardinal Emerges

Pope Francis (left) is placing the biretta, a symbol of a cardinal, on Cardinal Yu Hyung-sik's (right) head. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The installation ceremony of Lazarus Yoo Heung-sik (70), the fourth Korean cardinal, was held on the 27th (local time) at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

According to AFP and other sources, Cardinal Yoo officially became a member of the College of Cardinals of the Roman Church as the installation ceremony was completed under the presiding of Pope Francis. Cardinal Yoo's installation ceremony was held together with 19 other clergy who were appointed cardinals on May 29.

The newly installed cardinals took an oath of faith and allegiance, then received the red biretta and cardinal ring. The biretta, a symbol of the dignity of a cardinal, has a square bottom and three peaks on top symbolizing the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The red color symbolizes the blood of martyrs and signifies the commitment to protect the growth and freedom of the Church.

Cardinal Yoo is the fourth cardinal in the Korean Catholic Church, following the late Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan (1922?2009), Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk (1931?2021), and Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung (78). Cardinal Yoo will attend the consistory presided over by the Pope on the 29th and 30th to begin his full activities as a cardinal.

With the creation of 20 new cardinals, the total number of cardinals worldwide has increased to 226, of whom 132 are under 80 years old and thus have the right to vote in papal elections. Among these 132, 83 were appointed by Pope Francis, accounting for 63%. By region, Europe accounts for 40%, South America and Asia each 16%, Africa 13%, and North America 12%.

In Korea's case, both Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, installed in 2014, and the newly appointed Cardinal Yoo have voting rights. Cardinal Yeom will retain voting rights until December next year when he turns 80, and Cardinal Yoo will have voting rights for the next 10 years.