Cardinal Robles trusts that the disappearance crisis in Jalisco, Mexico will be reduced

Within the framework of the beginning of the new year 2025 and with the entry into office of the new government in the Mexican state of Jalisco, Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega, Archbishop of Guadalajara, expressed his hope that the authorities implement plans that promote development and peace in the state, especially in the face of the crisis of forced disappearances, linked to organized crime.

The problem of forced disappearances is one of the most critical in Jalisco. According to the National Registry of Missing and Unlocated Personsthe state leads the national list with 13,779 cases recorded since 1952.

Faced with this situation, Cardinal Robles called for collaboration and trust in the government’s new plans, considering that “by joining forces at the municipal, state and federal level, we can, if not resolve it 100%, then reduce and stop this issue as serious as the missing are.”

The call occurred in the context of the beginning of the Jubilee of Hope, called by the Catholic Church for the year 2025. During the press conference, Robles Ortega also granted a vote of confidence to the new Governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus Navarro, who He took office on December 6 after winning the elections as a representative of the Citizen Movement party. His term of government will end in 2030.

The cardinal highlighted that “all the beginnings are hopeful” and recognized the new governor’s willingness to “take care, worry and take care of things that are to a certain extent pending, such as violence, the issue of the missing, the issue of security.”

“Everything indicates that he has every will to resolve all these issues to the extent possible, which undoubtedly result in the good of the community and greater trust among the people towards their rulers,” he added.

The resignation of the Cardinal as Archbishop of Guadalajara: It will continue until the Pope orders it

Regarding his work, Cardinal Robles affirmed that as long as he continues to lead the Archdiocese of Guadalajara, he will continue to carry out “the pastoral projects that are already in place.”

He commented this when referring to his resignation presented on March 2, upon reaching the age of 75, as established in canon 401 of the Code of Canon Law, the law of the Catholic Church. Although Pope Francis accepted his resignation, the Cardinal will continue to lead the Archdiocese until the Holy Father decides otherwise.

“My will is that: to continue serving as if nothing happened, as if age had not marked anything, because thank God I feel healthy, I feel above all very supported by the team of auxiliary bishops and with the team of the great presbytery with which God has blessed this Church of Guadalajara,” he assured.