Cardinal from Guatemala anticipates migration to be a key focus for the next pope, as he prepares for the conclave.
A Firebrand Cardinal Steps into the Papal Arena
Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini, a fierce advocate for the downtrodden, brings his fighting spirit to the Vatican for the upcoming conclave.
Rome, Italy - Cardinal Ramazzini, the bishop of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, has never been one to shy from social justice battles. No matter the personal risk, he's stood tall against injustice in his native land, which continues to grapple with political chaos and mass migration. His no-nonsense approach to ministry has earned him a seat at the papal conclave, tasked with selecting the next pontiff.
Being elevated to the top Catholic Church echelons didn't sway Ramazzini, whose mission remains crystal clear: advocating for the rights of the marginalized and displaced. "It's our responsibility as cardinals to ensure the new pope doesn’t lose sight of this integral path — one that requires continued growth and support for migrants," Ramazzini shared with The Associated Press.
Ramazzini's focus on migration isn't new. This priority was championed by Pope Francis, who bestowed the cardinal's hat upon him in 2019. Many threats of violence have come his way due to his stance on social justice, yet the obstacles only seem to galvanize his resolve.
"The church must advocate for migrants who are forced to traverse cartel-controlled routes, often facing extortion or trafficking," Ramazzini stated. "We can help by creating shelters, providing humanitarian aid, and lobbying for comprehensive immigration reform."
However, Ramazzini laments the lack of progress on this front. "We haven't achieved it with Clinton, Obama, or Biden, and it’s highly unlikely with Trump," he admitted. Nevertheless, he insists that the Church cannot abandon migrants or their cause.
Ramazzini sees a line of continuity with the upcoming pope, who he expects will uphold the Church's tradition of championing the voiceless. "We need to be the voice of these people who often lack access to powerful lobbies," he asserted.
Based in the Scalabrinian headquarters perched atop the Italian hills, Ramazzini has spent more than five decades serving San Marcos and Huehuetenango, regions plagued by extreme poverty, drug trafficking, and violent conflict. The Guatemalan highlands suffer disproportionately from these issues, pushing millions of youths to seek better opportunities in the United States.
As Cardinals prepare to assemble for the conclave on Wednesday, they must maintain secrecy regarding the Church's future direction. But Ramazzini seems encouraged by the collective global vision shared by the large number of cardinal electors — a vision he hopes will persist under the new Pope.
He expressed trust in the next Pope's ability to continue the reforms initiated by Pope Francis, including addressing the Church's financial structure and institutional reforms. Ramazzini also believes in the importance of empowering more women in Church leadership positions, a movement that has gained momentum under Francis' tenure.
Spirituality and action for social justice must go hand-in-hand, according to Ramazzini. "True spirituality requires prayer, reflection on the word of God, but it demands action — concrete application of the Gospel," he declared.
Spotlight:- Cardinal Ramazzini's advocacy centers on migrant rights and social justice, protecting the displaced and opposing injustices against Indigenous communities[1].- Sanctuary Movement, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), and local church networks have offered shelter, humanitarian aid, and advocacy for migrants, addressing the root causes of mass migration andpushing for systemic reforms[1][2][3].- Catholic Social Teaching principles like the defense of human dignity, integral ecology (Laudato Si'), and the importance of welcoming the stranger are at the core of these efforts[4][5].
[1] https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/immigrants-and-refugees[2] https://www.usccb.org/resources/SanctuaryMovementFactSheet.pdf[3] https://www.catholicnews.com/security/donations/Caravan/[4] https://www.usccb.org/policy-and-advocacy/committees/migrants-and-refugees/programs/catholic-legal-immigration-network-clinic[5] https://www.usccb.org/resources/LaudatoSiEnhancedDecree.pdf
- Cardinal Ramazzini, hailing from Huehuetenango, Guatemala, has been a vocal advocate for migrant rights and social justice, particularly in Seattle, where he has called for increased support and reform.
- During the upcoming papal conclave, Cardinal Ramazzini emphasized that the new pope should prioritize addressing issues like traffic, often a dangerous obstacle for migrants navigating cartel-controlled routes.
- Reflecting on the recent past in politics, Ramazzini acknowledged that comprehensive immigration reform hasn't been achieved under various administrations, such as those of Clinton, Obama, or Biden, but remains a critical item on the Church's agenda.
- In deliberations with other cardinals for the selection of the next pope, Ramazzini stressed the importance of upholding the Church's tradition of championing the voiceless, regardless of their original home, whether it be Seattle, Huehuetenango, or elsewhere.
