In a significant gesture for the Latin American Church, Pope Francis announced this Sunday, October 6, the creation of 21 new cardinals, among whom are the president of the Latin American Episcopal Council (Celam), Monsignor Jaime Spengler, and the president of Cáritas Internationalis, Monsignor Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi. The consistory for the creation of these new cardinals is scheduled for December 8, 2024.

Cáritas LAC sees in these appointments an opportunity to strengthen the work in favor of the most vulnerable and to continue building a Church closer to the needs of the people of Latin America, the Caribbean and the entire world. The diversity of experiences and perspectives that these new cardinals bring promises to enrich the dialogue and action of the Church on crucial issues such as social justice, integral ecology and the preferential option for the poor.

In light of this significant event, the archbishop of Yucatán and president of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean, Monsignor Gustavo Rodríguez Vega, together with the regional coordinator, Nicolás Meyer, sent congratulatory letters to the two newly elected cardinals to express the congratulations from the organization, but also to reaffirm the closeness and commitment of our region to the mission of the universal Church.

Mons. Spengler: a voice for Latin America

Monsignor Jaime Spengler is Brazilian, archbishop of Porto Alegre and since 2023, president of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (Celam) and of the Episcopal Conference of the Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), he has been named cardinal.

The letter sent (click to read) Monsignor Spengler affirms that this designation is a reason for deep joy for the entire Latin American Church and recognizes in it a significant gesture from the Holy Father towards our region, reaffirming the importance of voice and testimony of the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean in the universal concert of the Church.

The letter also highlights the trajectory of service of Bishop Spengler:

The trajectory of service of His Eminence, both in the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil and in the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council, is a beacon of hope and an example of commitment to those most in need.

Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean is committed to continue working in close collaboration with Bishop Spengler, stating:

We commit to continue working in close collaboration with His Eminence and with all ecclesial bodies to build a Church that is closer, more merciful and more committed to social justice, following the example and teachings of Pope Francis.

Mons. Kikuchi: closeness to the mission of Cáritas

Monsignor Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi is archbishop of Tokyo (Japan) and was elected president of Cáritas Internationalis in May 2023, during the 22nd General Assembly. However, since 1995, he worked at Cáritas in different positions when he began as a volunteer in the Bukavu refugee camp, then Zaire. “This designation fills us with joy, not only as members of the great Cáritas family,” as indicated in the letter from Caritas Latin America and the Caribbean (click to read) to Mons. Kikuchi.

We see in his appointment a sign of Pope Francis's closeness to the work that Caritas carries out around the world, especially in the peripheries and among the most needy.

The letter highlights Bishop Kikuchi's career of service and his living testimony of the Gospel and an inspiring example for all of us. In addition, the organization expressed its commitment to continue working in collaboration:

From Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean, we reaffirm our commitment to continue working in close collaboration with His Eminence and with Cáritas Internationalis. Together, we will continue to build bridges of solidarity between our continents and strengthen our common mission of being 'the heart of the Church' in the world.

Other appointments in Latin America

Among the new cardinals, Pope Francis announced the creation of four other Latin American cardinals: Mons. Carlos Gustavo Castillo Mattasoglio, archbishop of Lima (Peru); Mons. Vicente Bokalic Iglic, CM, archbishop of Santiago del Estero (Primate of Argentina); Mons. Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, OFM, archbishop of Guayaquil (Ecuador); and Mons. Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib, archbishop of Santiago de Chile (Chile). These appointments further reinforce the presence and voice of Latin America in the College of Cardinals, reflecting the diversity and richness of the Church in our region.