August 27, 2022 will become a historic date for Paraguay. In Saint Peter’s Basilica, located in Vatican City, Pope Francis created 20 new cardinals where the name of Adalberto Martínez Flores stands out, who becomes the first Paraguayan cardinal.
The Monsignor went up to the atrium with a big smile and shared an intimate moment full of emotion with the Supreme Pontiff. “This is a tribute to Paraguay. Do not forget that the Paraguayan woman is the most glorious in all of America”, were the words that Pope Francis expressed to her after giving her the cap and the ring, signs of the cardinalate. He was invested with the title of San Giovanni a Porta Latina (Saint John before the Latin Gate).
One of the main roles of a cardinal is to assist His Holiness. After the consistory they officially integrate the College of Cardinals, which goes from 206 members to 226. The electors in the case of a possible conclave -who must be under 80 years old- go from 116 to 132. With 71 years of age, the new cardinal Paraguayan is still eligible as pope.
The President of the Republic of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Benítez, who was accompanied by the First Lady of the Nation, Silvana Abdo and a delegation from other State institutions, participated in the consistory.
TRAJECTORY
He was born in Asunción on July 8, 1951. He studied at the Faculty of Economics of the National University of Asunción and the University of Washington (1970-1977), he did philosophical and theological studies at the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome (1977-1981) .
In 1985 he consecrated himself as a priest to serve the Church wherever he was needed. In 1997 he was consecrated bishop, first as auxiliary of Asunción, then as bishop of San Lorenzo, of San Pedro, of the Military Bishopric, of Villarrica and finally, as archbishop of the Santísima Asunción.
He was appointed in February as the new metropolitan archbishop for Asunción, transferring him from the Villarrica del Espiritu Santo headquarters and after the resignation presented by Archbishop Edmundo Valenzuela, who is 77 years old.
BEGINNING
The now new cardinal had highlighted that one of its social axes is focused on working for the common good through dialogue, consensus and coordination of all political, social, economic, cultural and religious forces.
“Paraguayan society needs to dialogue, agree and agree on some central axes such as the reduction of structural inequity, which is and will be a permanent source of conflict; the fight against corruption and against impunity; rigorously address the serious problem of land tenure and ownership, the cadastre, land use planning and public policies for social and economic development in harmony with and respect for the environment”, he remarked.
Martínez’s arrival again in the national territory is scheduled for September 1. For the occasion, all parishioners are invited to wear white scarves to give you a warm and well-deserved welcome. The first mass of the Paraguayan cardinal in Guarani land is scheduled for September 4 of this year.
