Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana, the Archbishop of Toamasina, Madagascar, is a staunch defender of marriage and the family who has dedicated his priestly life to helping the poor in one of the world’s poorest countries.

Born on June 13, 1954, in Amboangibe, a region in northeastern Madagascar known for producing eighty percent of the world’s vanilla, Tsarahazana studied at minor seminary from 1970 to 1976 and then continued his studies at Antsiranana ou Diego-Suarez until 1978.

He studied for the priesthood from 1979 to 1982, and took further studies in philosophy and theology from 1983 to 1986, including at the Catholic University of Lyon in France.

He was ordained priest on September 28, 1986, at the age of 32.

Tsarahazana’s leadership qualities and dedication to his faith led to his appointment as Bishop of Fenoarivo Atsinanana, Madagascar, on February 18, 2001, at the age of 46. This position allowed him to serve the local community and gain valuable experience in Church administration.

On November 24, 2008, at the age of 54, Tsarahazana was appointed Bishop of Toamasina, Madagascar, one of the country’s major cities. In 2010, the see of Toamasina was elevated, and Tsarahazana became its first archbishop.

During his tenure as archbishop, the numbers of priests and religious have roughly doubled, although numbers remain relatively low and he has appealed for missionaries. “There has been a growth in the number of seminarians, but with the extreme poverty we face here, we have to constantly ask ourselves if it is a matter of true vocations or if it is more a matter of looking for material security,” he said in 2018.

From 2006 to 2012, Tsarahazana was vice president of the Madagascan bishops’ conference. He was elected president in 2012 and after re-elections, he remains in the post.

The cardinal took part in the 2018 Vatican Synod on Youth.

That same year, Pope Francis appointed him cardinal in recognition of his contributions to the Church and his dedication to serving the poor in Madagascar.

Throughout his career, Cardinal Tsarahazana has been known for his quiet but impactful work in improving the lives of the country’s poor. His efforts have focused on addressing the needs of the underprivileged in his community, aligning with the Church’s mission of social justice and compassion, and Francis’ emphasis on assisting the poor.

He has reportedly been a driving force in addressing the needs of the underprivileged in Madagascar, which is one of the world’s poorest countries. More than 90 percent of its population lives below the two-dollar-a-day poverty line. The cardinal has been instrumental in efforts to improve education in Madagascar, as well as healthcare access and living conditions.

Cardinal Tsarahazana is known for his willingness to travel long distances, even walking up to ten miles or more, to reach remote villages and connect with people in rural areas. He has also partnered with Catholic Relief Services on projects aimed at improving living conditions, but takes a holistic approach that also includes providing spiritual support and advocacy for the poor. He has also criticized corruption in Madagascar. “Ours is a country of great contrasts. We have many resources, but the country is deteriorating,” he has said. “There is a deterioration that is mostly linked to corruption.”

The Madagascan cardinal strongly defends family values and Catholic teaching on marriage in his country. He emphasizes that in Malagasy culture, marriage is deeply rooted in the procreation of children and the continuation of family lines and cites a Malagasy proverb — “We get married to have children” — to illustrate this point. The cardinal views this connection between marriage and procreation as a core aspect of Malagasy identity that is not easily influenced by modern ideologies seeking to redefine family structures.

In 2018, he emphasized the need for deeper faith among Christians, saying: “If we were truly Christians, we would not be where we are. How deep is our faith in reality? Numbers are a good thing, but not the most important.” He has expressed concern about the rise of radical Islam and the increase in mosques in his country.

The cardinal assisted in welcoming Pope Francis to Madagascar in 2019 and coordinating some aspects of the papal visit.

Cardinal Tsarahazana is reported to have a “quiet and respectful style of leadership” as well as “an incredible balance.” He is also known as someone who is most at home and at peace in the countryside, building relationships and talking with the people in villages.