New Cardinal of Ecuador: Our mission is to be messengers of hope

Cardinal Luis Cabrera Herrera, Archbishop of Guayaquil and new cardinal of Ecuador, affirmed that the mission that the Lord now entrusts to the Ecuadorian faithful is to be “messengers of hope” in today’s world.

The mission that Jesus “entrusts us at this moment” is “to be messengers of hope, of a world of peace and justice, of reconciliation and forgiveness, of solidarity and love between brothers,” said the cardinal, one of the 21 new cardinals created. by Pope Francis in the Vatican, in the consistory on December 7.

In the homily of the Mass that he presided on Saturday, December 14 in the Cathedral of Guayaquil, Cardinal Cabrera highlighted that it is now time to be “messengers of a hope that (…) shakes us and takes us out of the inertia of the known, just when we want to.” lower your arms.”

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil reported that the President of the Republic, Daniel Noboa Azín, and his wife, Lavinia Balbonesi, participated in the Eucharist; the governor of Guayas, Vicente Auad; and the prefect, Marcela Aguiñaga.

“We count on you and God’s blessing for this noble mission of saving hearts, and of building a fraternal, supportive and compassionate society,” said the president in his greeting to the new cardinal of the Catholic Church.

Being a cardinal is “a grace from the Lord”

Before a cathedral packed with faithful and in the midst of strong security measures due to the presence of the Ecuadorian president and other authorities, Cardinal Cabrera highlighted that being a cardinal “is a grace” from God for Ecuador.

“Since the announcement of my appointment as cardinal, I have gone from surprise to the certainty that it is a grace from the Lord to this people who believe in his Word, who love him passionately and who are not afraid to confess it in public and in private. “, highlighted the cardinal.

“The service of cardinal, therefore, I do not receive in a personal capacity, but in the name of each and every one of you, of my brother bishops, of the priests, of the members of the consecrated life and of all men and women. lay women, who announce the Gospel with passion, creativity and audacity,” the archbishop continued.

The cardinal then thanked Pope Francis “for his closeness and trust, and you for your prayer and commitment to continue the evangelizing mission. Dear brothers and sisters, your overflowing joy is also my joy.”

“May Mary, the mother of peace and hope, accompany us in this new mission to continue announcing Jesus, the Son of Man, who comes to save us in freedom and out of love,” he concluded.