Cardinal Visits Campus, Discusses Mercy

Summer MezaTHE SANTA CLARAJanuary 22, 2014[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, a member of Pope Francis’ advisory council of eight cardinals, spoke on Tuesday at Mission Church, discussing the role of mercy within the Catholic Church.

Rodríguez Maradiaga’s lecture reflected upon the value of including mercy and compassion in modern-day ethical discussions. He focused on issues such as the migration of children from Central American countries, including the Cardinal’s native nation, Honduras.

Rodríguez Maradiaga encouraged involvement in public debate to bring mercy into the conversation surrounding immigration policies. He said the issue of immigration is not one of charity, but a struggle for justice.

“The church is a mother,” said Rodríguez Maradiaga. “The church is not here to judge, to condemn, but to embrace those who need open arms of love.”

According to Paul Crowley, resident Jesuit and religious studies associate professor, Maradiaga is a rising leader in the Church with an “insider’s perspective” on current developments in the leadership of the Catholic Church under Pope Francis.

“He knows intimately the plight of the people (in Honduras) who have been seeking refuge elsewhere, risking death in their passage through Mexico,” Crowley said. “He will be able to shed significant theological light on the ethics of migration.”

Rodríguez Maradiaga’s words resonated with audience members, who were also given the opportunity to ask the Cardinal questions after the lecture.

“I was able to connect with a lot of what he mentioned about needing not to judge,” said senior Nabilah Deen. “We need to take into account everyone’s struggle.”

Contact Summer Meza at sameza@scu.edu .