Interview: A Rising Latin American Cardinal

Monday, May. 14, 2007 By JEFF ISRAELY/APARECIDA, BRAZIL

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Some say Honduran Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga has the stuff to one day become Pope. For now, he is among the most influential Catholic leaders fighting for social justice. Rodriguez spoke with TIME�s Jeff Israely about lobbying for hunger, pro-choice politicians and the prospects of a Third World Pope, during Pope Benedict XVI�s visit to Aparecida, Brazil, to inaugurate the the Fifth conference of Latin American bishops that runs through May 31.

Q. What is the single biggest priority for the Latin American Church?

A. It is necessary to review our pastoral models. They�ve been exhausted. We need more creative ways to confront the challenges of the 21st century. We must figure out how to take the gospel and the battle for social justice to the politicians of Latin America and the world.

Q. What�s your view of Latin America�s current political leaders: Lula in Brazil, Chavez in Venezuela, Morales in Bolivia, and others?

A. People say Latin America is turning to the left. I say that it is simply seeking social justice. I look at my own country, and so many want to go to the United States because there is no work in Honduras, because there is no development.

Q. But isn�t there a risk in religious leaders getting involved in politics?

A. I am calling for a new evangelization of politicians and world economic leaders. Yes, keeping church separate from politics is a good thing, but that does not mean being enemies. The citizens of the church are also citizens of the state. I�m not choosing one party or other, but offering the richness of the gospel.

Q. Pope Benedict has focused on the inner aspect of charity work. Is this a departure from the Church�s social doctrine of trying?

A. The Pope is touching an important point: We could be giving our help, but what happens if the person we are helping really doesn�t change? If he continues to beg? We must not suppose they are converted. We want to help people to develop as humans and working humans.

Q. Do you agree with the Pope�s statement that pro-choice Catholic politicians merit excommunication?

A. It is canon law that everyone who works for abortion is excommunicated. It�s not something the Pope invented. If you favor abortion, you are outside the communion of the Church. And it was necessary to say that. There are people in Mexico saying I am Catholic and I support abortion rights. This is a contradiction in its very essence. As a teacher of the Church, the Pope has a responsibility of teaching when something happening is wrong.

Q. Do you agree with bishops who deny giving Holy Communion to the these politicians?

A. This is a different point. For who am I to deny Holy Communion to a person? I cannot. It�s in the tradition of moral theology that even if I know a person is living in grave sin, I cannot take a public action against him. It would be giving scandal to the person. Yes, he should not seek [communion], but I cannot deny it from him.

Q. What�s your overall assessment of Benedict�s trip to Brazil?

A. I was impressed by the Pope. He seems to be on the same wave as the people. Of course he�s not John Paul, he has a different personality. And though personality has a big influence, so too does the Holy Spirit. I hope he will come back soon to Latin America

Q. Will we see a Latin American Pope some day?

A. It would be a great blessing. It�s not a question of nationality, [but] is simply because of the situation in the world, and what it would mean to have a Pope from the Third World. The Holy Spirit saw that the Church in Europe is in great difficulty and so it gave us a Pope who knows these problems well, and is a great intellectual who can dialogue at the highest level with anyone. I know the Spirit will shift in the direction of other countries and continents in the future.