Dominique Joseph Mathieu, O.F.M. Conv. (born 13 June 1963) is a Belgian Catholic prelate who has served as Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan since 2021. He is a member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.
Dominique Mathieu O.F.M. Conv. | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Teheran-Isfahan | |
 | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Teheran-Isfahan |
| Appointed | 8 January 2021 |
| Previous post(s) | Definitor general and general assistant for the Central Europe Federation of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (2019-2021). |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 24 September 1989 |
| Consecration | 16 February 2021 by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Dominique Joseph Mathieu 13 June 1963 |
| Nationality | Belgium |
| Motto | Deus meus in Te confido (My God I trust in You) |
| Coat of arms |  |
Pope Francis has announced he plans to make him a cardinal on 7 December 2024.
Biography
editDominique Mathieu was born in Arlon in Belgian Luxembourg, the southernmost province of Belgium, on 13 June 1963. He grew up in Damme.[1] He joined the Order of Friars Minor Conventual at 21 and professed his solemn vows on 20 September 1987. He was ordained a priest in Damme on 24 September 1989.[2]
In 2013 he was incardinated in the Provincial Custody of the East and of the Holy Land. Within his Franciscan order he has held various positions: vocational promoter, secretary, vicar and provincial minister of the Belgian province of the Friars Minor Conventual, serving as delegate general when the provinces of Belgium and France merged; rector of the national shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua in Brussels and director of its Confraternity. He was also president of two non-profit organizations that support the Friars Minor Conventual in Belgium, and had responsibilities with the Catholic School of Landen. He has served as president of the Central Europe Federation of the Friars Minor Conventual (Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland) and was a member of the Franciscans' International Commission for the Economy.[2]
He moved to Lebanon in 2013 and served as custodial secretary, formator, master of novices and rector of postulants and candidates in the provincial Custody of the East and of the Holy Land.[2]
From 2019 to 2021 he was definitor general and general assistant for the Central Europe Federation of the Friars Minor Conventual.[2]
Pope Francis appointed him Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan on 8 January 2021.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on 16 February 2021 from Cardinal Leonardo Sandri in Rome's Basilica of the Twelve Apostles.[3] and left Rome to take possession of his see in November.[4] In March 2021 he told an interviewer that from the time he entered religious life he "almost always felt affinity with the Islamic world".[5]
On 6 October 2024, Pope Francis announced that he plans to make Mathieu a cardinal on 8 December,[6] a date that was later changed to 7 December.[7] He will become the third cardinal in the history of modern Iran.[8]
Mathieu has been described as having "a passion for astronomy".[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ De Greef, Jos (11 January 2021). "De Belgische franciscaan Dominique Mathieu uit Aarlen wordt aartsbisschop van Teheran-Isfahan in Iran" (in Dutch). VRT News. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Resignations and Appointments, 08.01.2021". Holy See Press Office. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ a b Mora Mesén, Víctor Manuel; Stoia, Agnello (19 February 2021). "Episcopal Ordination of Friar Dominique J. Mathieu". OFMConv. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ "Roma: partenza di Fra Dominique J. Mathieu". OFMConv (in Italian). 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ "Friar Dominique Mathieu To Be Made Cardinal". Franciscan Voice. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ Castellano Lubov, Deborah (6 October 2024). "Pope Francis announces Consistory for creation of new Cardinals". Vatican News. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ Brockhaus, Hannah (12 October 2024). "Vatican Shares Pope Francis' Schedule for December Consistory to Create Cardinals". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ Tresca, Malo (7 October 2024). "Who are the 21 new cardinals chosen by Pope Francis?". La Croix International. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
External links
edit