Cardinal Estanislao Esteban Karlic is a retired Argentine prelate and currently the oldest Prince of the Church, elevated to the cardinalate by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007 at the age of 81.

Born on February 7, 1926, in Oliva, Argentina, Karlic was ordained priest on December 8, 1954, at the age of 28. In 1977, at the age of 51, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Córdoba, Argentina, and Titular Bishop of Castrum. His journey in the Church hierarchy continued as he was installed as Coadjutor Archbishop of Paraná in 1983. Three years later, he became the Archbishop of Paraná, a position he held until his retirement on April 29, 2003, at the age of 77.

Karlic’s service to the Church was further recognized when he was elevated to the position of Cardinal on November 24, 2007. He was subsequently installed as Cardinal-Priest of Beata Maria Vergine Addolorata a piazza Buenos Aires on February 2, 2008.

Throughout his career, Cardinal Karlic has been known for his “theologically moderate” approach, balancing conservative and liberal ideas. He has particularly emphasized the importance of family, describing it as “the sanctuary of love and of life.” He believes that “the human community is destined for fraternity.”

From 1986 to 1992, he was a member of the editorial commission of the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, headed by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.

Karlic was also a member of various commissions of the Argentine Bishops’ Conference. From 1996 to 2002 he was president of the Argentine Bishops’ Conference.

In 1997 he was appointed special secretary for the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for America.