2023-07-15 12:25:13
Archbishop Rueda from the Archdiocese of Bogotá, Colombia, South America, is among the new cardinals that Pope Francis announced on July 9. After learning of the news, he gave an interview to Vatican News, expressing his gratitude to the Pope, pledging to continue with his brother bishops the process of reconciliation in the country. “We are a suffering Church, always close to the people. I believe that my cardinal title is also a recognition of the many lay people working in various fields,” he stressed.
(Vatican News Network) Archbishop Luis José RUEDA APARICIO of the Archdiocese of Bogota, the capital of Colombia in South America, will be ordained a cardinal on September 30 this year. In a recent interview with the Vatican News Network, he said that the Pope’s choice to confer on him the title of Cardinal is a recognition of the efforts of the Colombian Church in the process of reconciliation, peace and evangelization. He is willing to be sent by the Pope at any time, to accompany and assist the Pope in governing the universal church.
Archbishop Rueda first stated that the Pope’s elevation of him as a cardinal is a recognition of a suffering Colombian Church, a Church that has always been committed to the process of reconciliation, peace and evangelization of the Colombian people. He said: “I would like to be in Colombia as always, pray for the pope as before, but now I want to pray more fervently for the universal church, to help my country to distinguish the situation of the country, to be at the pope’s disposal at any time, to accompany and assist Pope.”
Responding to a reporter’s question regarding what he wanted to express to the pope, he replied: “Whenever I greet him, I always tell him that the people of Colombia love him, we pray for him, we are with him, in his In him we see the successor of Saint Peter with whom we live in evangelized communion.”
Then, he said that the Pope chose him as a cardinal to play a role in promoting peace in Colombia. He explained: “There is no doubt that this motivates all the bishops to work together, as I have always said, it is not a one-man show… So it is never a job for me, Rueda. I cannot do it alone, I cannot do it alone. Not capable. But with the brothers Bishops and the Church on the journey in Colombia, we can play an active evangelical, social, ecclesiastical role in communion.”
Finally, the Colombian prelate spoke of the challenges facing the local and universal Church: “I think the greatest challenge for the universal Church, for the People of God, is to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ Tell us: ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel!’ He wants us to repent because the causes of violence are numerous. Human beings have alienated their Creator and God who walks with us. The greatest challenge, I believe, is acknowledging our need for God’s love and tenderness, and acknowledge the nearness of God to us throughout the world, as well as in the personal and family life of each of us.”
Link URL: www.vaticannews.cn
1689447950
#Cardinal #Rueda #accept #challenge #Christ #repent #Gospel #Vatican #News
