【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2023 年7月 09 日梵諦岡訊】 ─ 7月9日，在誦唸三鐘經及進行福音反省後，教宗方濟各宣佈在9月30日召開樞機院常會，將任命21位新樞機。新樞機名單中，包括慈幼會總會長范達民神父。
范達民神父獲任命，顯示教宗方濟各對他及鮑思高慈幼會的信賴與期望。
於羅馬教區中產生新樞機，也促成了聖座與普世各特殊教會不可分割的聯繫。這些地方教會的起源，顯示出教會的唯一性，就是繼續向普世人民，傳揚天主慈悲的愛。
教宗在接見結束時，邀請人們為新樞機祈禱：「讓我們為新樞機祈禱，使能堅固他們與基督–仁慈和忠信的大司祭的聯繫（參閱希2:17），讓他們幫助我在行使羅馬主教牧職時，能為眾天主信眾帶來益處。」
范達民神父於1960年8月21日在西班牙阿斯圖里亞斯出生。他於1978年9月3日矢發初願，1984年6月17日於Santiago de Compostela宣發終身願，並於1987年7月4日在萊昂晉鐸。
出身自萊昂會省的他，擁有牧民神學學士學位及哲學暨教育學資格。他曾擔任會省的青年牧民委員、Ourense學校校長、會省議會成員及副省會長，並於2000年至2006年間任省會長。
在參與2009年第26屆全代會的籌委工作後，他獲任命為以布宜諾斯艾利斯為基地的南阿根廷會省的省會長。因此，他有機會認識時任布宜諾斯艾利斯總教區總主教，豪爾赫•馬里奧•伯格里奧樞機，並建立密切工作關係，這位樞機就是現今的教宗方濟各。
2013年12月23日，他獲任命為地中海西班牙聖母進教之佑新會省的長上。然而在他就任新職之前，於2014年3月25日，在第27屆全代會中獲選為慈幼會新一任總會長，即聖鮑思高第十位繼承人。2020年3月11日，他在第28屆全代會獲確認，出任慈幼會總會長第二段六年任期，由2020至2026年。
The Holy Father appoints Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, Cardinal of the Church
(ANS –Vatican–Vatican City, 07 July 2023) – Today, 9 July, after the Angelus and reflection on the Gospel, Pope Francis announced the convocation of the Consistory for 30 September next for the appointment of 21 new Cardinals. Among the names of the new Cardinals was Rev. Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, the Rector Major of the Salesians.
The appointment of Fr Ángel Fernández Artime is a sign of the trust and hope that the Holy Father Pope Francis places in Fr Ángel and the Salesians of Don Bosco.
The inclusion of the new Cardinals in the diocese of Rome also manifests the inseparable bond between the See of Peter and the particular Churches spread throughout the world. Their provenance expresses the universality of the Church that continues to proclaim God’s merciful love to all people on earth.
The Holy Father concluded the audience by inviting everyone to pray for the new Cardinals: “Let us pray for the new Cardinals, that by confirming their adherence to Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest (cf. Heb 2:17), they may help me in my ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of all God’s faithful people”.
Fr Ángel was born on 21 August 1960 in Gozón-Luanco, Asturias, Spain. He made his first profession on 3 September 1978, made his perpetual vows on 17 June 1984 in Santiago de Compostela and was ordained a priest on 4 July 1987 in León.
Originally from the Province of León, he holds a degree in Pastoral Theology and a Licence in Philosophy and Pedagogy. He was Delegate for Youth Pastoral, Director of the school in Ourense, member of the Provincial Council and Vice Provincial, and from 2000 to 2006 Provincial.
He was Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, Rector of the School atf Ourense, a member of the Provincial Council and Vice Provincial, and from 2000-2006 he was the Provincial Superior.
After being part of the Preparatory commission which prepared the 26th General Chapter in 2009, he was appointed Provincial of South Argentina, based in Buenos Aires. In this capacity he also got to know and work personally with the then Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, today Pope Francis.
On 23 December 2013, he was appointed Superior of the new Province of Mediterranean Spain, dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. But before he could take on this new role, on 25 March 2014 he was elected by General Chapter 27 as the new Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation and the 10th Successor of Don Bosco. On 11 March 2020, he was confirmed by the General Chapter 28 as the Rector Major of the Salesians for the second six-year term from 2020 to 2026.