Background and Experience
Born on June 15, 1945, in Ourous, Guinea, Robert Sarah was ordained as a priest in 1969. His early ministry took place during the dictatorship of Sékou Touré, whose regime persecuted the Church. At just 34 years old, Pope John Paul II appointed him as Archbishop of Conakry in 1979, making him the youngest bishop in the world at that time.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II called him to Rome to serve as Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, which oversaw the Church's charitable activities. Benedict elevated him to cardinal that same year.
In 2014, Pope Francis appointed Sarah as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, a position he held until 2021. During his tenure, he became known for his advocacy of traditional liturgical practices and his outspoken defense of Catholic doctrine on issues such as marriage, sexuality, and the priesthood.
"The Church is not a social organization, a philanthropic NGO, or a multinational enterprise. The Church is the Bride of Christ, called to transmit faithfully the deposit of faith received from the Apostles. When we modify the faith to adapt it to the world, we betray our mission."
— Cardinal Robert Sarah
Key Agenda Items
Liturgical Restoration
Cardinal Sarah has been a strong advocate for what he calls a "reform of the reform" in Catholic liturgy. He has encouraged priests to celebrate Mass ad orientem (facing east, with their backs to the congregation), promoted greater use of Latin and Gregorian chant, and supported the traditional Latin Mass.
His liturgical agenda focuses on restoring a sense of the sacred and transcendent in worship, emphasizing that the liturgy is primarily directed toward God rather than the congregation. He believes that reverent, beautiful liturgy is essential for authentic Catholic faith and evangelization.
Doctrinal Clarity
Cardinal Sarah has consistently emphasized the importance of clear and unambiguous teaching on matters of faith and morals. He has expressed concern about what he perceives as doctrinal confusion in recent years and has called for a reaffirmation of traditional Catholic teaching, particularly on issues related to marriage, sexuality, and the sanctity of life.
His agenda includes strengthening catechesis at all levels, ensuring that Catholic educational institutions faithfully transmit Church teaching, and addressing what he sees as the influence of secular ideologies within the Church.
Spiritual Renewal
Cardinal Sarah has written extensively on the importance of silence, prayer, and contemplation in Christian life. His books, including "The Power of Silence" and "The Day Is Now Far Spent," emphasize the need for spiritual renewal in a noisy, distracted world.
His agenda for spiritual renewal includes promoting traditional spiritual practices such as Eucharistic adoration, the Rosary, and retreats. He believes that authentic reform of the Church must begin with personal conversion and a deeper relationship with Christ.
Defense of the Priesthood
Cardinal Sarah has been a strong defender of the traditional understanding of the priesthood, including priestly celibacy. During the Amazon Synod in 2019, he was one of the most vocal opponents of proposals to ordain married men in remote regions.
His agenda includes promoting vocations to the priesthood, strengthening priestly formation, and maintaining celibacy as a discipline for priests in the Latin Rite. He sees the priest primarily as an alter Christus (another Christ) whose identity is centered on offering the sacrifice of the Mass.
Evangelization in a Secular World
Drawing on his experience in Guinea, where the Church faced persecution, Cardinal Sarah has emphasized the importance of courageous witness in an increasingly secular and sometimes hostile world. He has criticized what he sees as attempts to water down the Gospel to make it more acceptable to contemporary culture.
His evangelization agenda focuses on proclaiming the full truth of the Catholic faith without compromise, while also showing compassion for those who struggle to live according to Church teaching. He believes that authentic evangelization requires both truth and charity.