Cardinal-elect Fernando Chomali Garib

Chancellor

Holds the guardianship of the University through the Office of the Chancellor. Runs the university and is the direct and immediate nexus with the hierarchical authorities of the Catholic Church, especially with the Holy See. The Archbishop of Santiago is, by his own right, Chancellor of the Pontificia Universidad Católica. Should the Archbishop position be vacant, the responsibilities of the Chancellor shall be carried out by the religious official managing the archdiocese, who will do so under the title of Pro-Chancellor.  

Duties

Holds the guardianship of the University and is the direct and immediate nexus with the Church’s hierarchical authorities, especially with the Holy See. Other duties include:

• Watching over the Catholic orthodoxy in the University’s activities. 
• Leading the University’s pastoral activities.
• Being the information and communication channel of the University with the Holy See and the other hierarchical authorities of the Catholic Church.
• Informing the Holy See of matters of special relevance that occur at or affect the University, and also to the Episcopal Conference, especially in matters of national relevance.
• Presenting to the Holy See the requests of the College of Theology for its teaching candidates.
• Appointing the Provost, the Secretary General, Vice Presidents, Directors of theological centers and theology professors.
• Ensuring compliance with the requirements for dean candidates.
• Adopting the necessary measures to maintain proper governance of the University.
• Resolving potential conflicts between the University president and its Leadership Council. 
• Signing the diplomas of tenured professors, and Bachelor’s and PhD in theology; likewise the diplomas and decrees conferring the honorary degrees of Doctor Scientiae et Honoris Causa and Doctor Honoris Causa.
• Attending sessions of any of the University’s collegiate bodies with the right to speak as honorary president.
• Approving modifications to the General Statutes of the University and the College of Theology.
• Approving the Christian education courses taught at the University.

Career

Monsignor Fernando Chomali Garib, born on March 10, 1957, in Santiago, Chile, completed his primary and secondary education at Alianza Francesa and the Instituto Nacional. In 1981, he earned a Civil Engineering degree from UC Chile.

He was ordained by Archbishop Carlos Oviedo Cavada on April 6, 1991, after joining the Pontifical Major Seminary of Santiago in 1984.

He completed a Bachelor's degree in Moral Theology at the Alphonsian Academy of the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome in 1993, and subsequently, obtained a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1994. In 1998, he earned a Master's degree in Bioethics from the John Paul II Institute of the Pontifical Lateran University.

Since 1995, Monsignor Fernando Chomali Garib has served as a Professor of Moral Theology at both the Pontifical Major Seminary of Santiago and UC Chile Faculty of Theology. He served as a Professor of Engineering at UC Chile and, since 1997, has held positions as Professor of Theological Anthropology and Bioethics, as well as of the Magisterium of the Church, in the UC Chile Faculty of Medicine.

Within the Archdiocese of Santiago, he fulfilled roles such as Episcopal Delegate for University Ministry, Pastor of María Madre de la Misericordia Parish, Dean of the Manquehue Deanery of the Vicariate of the Cordillera Zone, Moderator of the Metropolitan Curia, and Delegate President of the Council of Economic Affairs.

Since 2001, he has been a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life and served on the Steering Committee of the Vatican Academy from 2010 to 2012.

On April 6, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago. He received his episcopal ordination on June 4 of the same year from the then Apostolic Nuncio of His Holiness in Chile, Monsignor Aldo Cavalli. 

On April 20, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Archbishop of the Most Holy Conception.

Monsignor Chomali currently serves as the Vice President of the Episcopal Conference of Chile.

On October 25, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Archbishop of Santiago, succeeding Cardinal Celestino Aós Braco.

On October 6, 2024, Pope Francis announced that Monsignor Chomali will be named Cardinal, in a ceremony that will take place on December 8, 2024.