Cardinal from Guatemala anticipates migratory issues to be a focus for the upcoming pope, as he prepares for the conclave.
Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini, the Bishop of Huehuetenango in Guatemala, ain't hesitant when it comes to standing up for the little guys. For decades, he's been advocating for migrants, the poor, and Indigenous people in Guatemala’s highlands, always making sure the word of God is put into practice rather than just preached as an abstract concept.
Ramazzini's been on the frontlines of the migrant crisis, a priority even for Pope Francis, who made him a cardinal in 2019. This promotion didn't faze the guy—his commitment to social justice had earned him more than a few threats. But Guatemala's ongoing political strife and migration towards the United States means his work is far from done.
"We gotta keep pushin'," Ramazzini told The Associated Press. "It's a moral duty for the cardinals to remember their path and let it grow, advocating for migrants and their rights."
The cardinal knows the journey is tough for migrants, who often travel through cartel-controlled routes where they're extorted, trafficked, or face violence. Ramazzini's approach is twofold: providing practical support like shelters and humanitarian aid, and lobbying for comprehensive immigration reform to tackle these deeply-rooted problems.
"But we ain't cracked that nut yet," Ramazzini admitted. "We couldn't fix it with Clinton, Obama, or even Biden. And forget about it with ol' Trump."
Still, Ramazzini don't believe the Church should abandon migrants or its stance on social justice. He sees a line of continuity extending into the next papacy and urges the Church to be the voice for those who often can't be heard.
For most of his priesthood, which spans over five decades, Ramazzini's been bishop in San Marcos and then Huehuetenango, two regions hit hard by Guatemala’s civil war and still struggling with poverty and drug trafficking. These issues push hundreds of thousands of local youths to migrate to the US.
Cardinals are under the oath of secrecy as they prepare for the upcoming conclave, but Ramazzini expressed hope in the "global vision" shared by the large number of cardinal electors. He trusts the next pope will continue the work of church reform and ensure women are included in leadership positions, a shift gaining momentum since the Second Vatican Council and under Pope Francis.
Ramazzini emphasizes that spirituality and action for social justice must go hand-in-hand.
"That's real spirituality: prayer, reflection on God's word, but projection towards others," he said. "The next pope will have his own spirituality. But he can't lose sight that you can't be a spiritual person without putting your faith into action."
And Ramazzini's not feeling the nerves about electing the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics: he’s confident "our Lord’s gonna see us through."
That's comforting, as is realizing he probably won't be the next pope... or so he jokes.
[1] Social justice and migration advocacy remain priorities for Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini, urging the Catholic Church and future pope to sustain and enhance support for vulnerable migrant populations during and beyond the papal conclave.
[2] Cardinal Ramazzini focuses on ensuring the practical application of the Gospel among migrants, poor, and Indigenous populations, advocating not only for spiritual support but also for material aid and lobbying for comprehensive immigration reform.
1) Despite his upcoming involvement in the papal conclave, Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini continues to prioritize social justice and migration advocacy, emphasizing the need for the Catholic Church and future pope to extend and intensify their support for vulnerable migrant populations.
2) In his fight for the less fortunate, Cardinal Ramazzini concentrates on the practical implementation of the Gospel among migrants, the poor, and Indigenous populations, advocating not only for spiritual support but also for the provision of material aid and pushing for comprehensive immigration reform.
