Sebastian Francis was born on 11 November 1951 in Johor Bahru and studied philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary (College General) in Penang. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Melaka-Johor on 28 July 1977, earned a licentiate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 1983, and later studied at the Maryknoll School of Theology in New York. Back in Malaysia he taught dogmatic theology and served as spiritual director at the Penang seminary, and served two long terms as vicar general of Melaka-Johor.
On 7 July 2012 Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Penang; he received episcopal ordination on 20 August 2012 at the parish church of Saint Anne in Bukit Mertajam. Since 1 January 2017 he has served as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, and he has chaired offices of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. In November 2025 his diocese hosted the FABC’s ‘Great Pilgrimage of Hope’ in Penang.
Pope Francis created him cardinal in the consistory of 30 September 2023, assigning him the titular church of Santa Maria Causa Nostrae Laetitiae; he is Malaysia’s second cardinal, after Anthony Soter Fernandez. He participated as an elector in the 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
Consequential Quotes
When the offer to host it came, I accepted immediately, with little consultation or questions. I wanted to challenge the people of my diocese to help them grow, mature, and realize they are part of a larger church, the Church in Asia.
Being a Catholic in Malaysia is like Pentecost, the day the Church was born. Like on that day, we live here in a situation of unity in diversity and equality.
We didn't hear much about interfaith dialogue before Vatican II. Interreligious dialogue is essential for achieving harmony and peace. It represents a step forward in embracing each other, learning from one another, and walking together as brothers and sisters.
It’s multi-religious, it’s multicultural, it's multilingual. But enough of thinking of them as challenges! Maybe we should think of them as assets: diversity is an asset, and unity in diversity is an asset. Diversity is not a threat, and within diversity, there's equality.
It’s a genuine conviction that this is what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church today, full stop!
The fundamental call is the call to discipleship, which encompasses the Church’s mission, including women in the life and mission of the Church, consecrated life, and lay associations and movements. We are formed by the Church to be priests, prophets, and kings, to worship God, to speak on behalf of God, and to accompany God’s people.
Major Works & Initiatives
Bishop of Penang
Appointed fifth Bishop of Penang by Benedict XVI on 7 July 2012 and ordained bishop on 20 August 2012, succeeding Antony Selvanayagam.
President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei
President of the regional bishops’ conference from 1 January 2017, representing the Church across Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
Chairman, Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Office of Social Communication
Chairman of the FABC’s Office of Social Communication from 2023, having previously chaired its Office of Social Commission, working on dialogue and social questions across Asia.
Host of the Great Pilgrimage of Hope
Hosted the FABC Office of Evangelization’s ‘Great Pilgrimage of Hope’, billed as the second Asian Mission Congress, in Penang on 27–30 November 2025.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.
Sources
- Holy See Press Office — biography
- Wikipedia
- Herald Malaysia (UCA News) — Religious nationalism challenges Church to fulfill its mission in Asia
- Herald Malaysia (Vatican News) — Asian diversity is an asset, not a threat
- Herald Malaysia (Crux) — Penang Bishop says Pope Francis is ‘what the Holy Spirit is saying today’
- Herald Malaysia — Cardinal reminds seminarians to be rooted in discipleship