Cardinal Re is affiliated as “Brother” to the Recollects. This title, presented to him by the Augustinian Recollects during the last General Chapter, 2004, in Rome, makes him share in the spiritual goods of the Order.
The cloisters of the Monastery of Yuso, in San Millán de la Cogolla were a hive of activity during the past few days. The community who normally live there were joined by fourteen bishops from the Order who had gathered for the celebration in the Spiritual Centre on the third floor. They were joined by the members of the General Council plus eight Provincials from Spain, Colombia, Brazil, the United States and the Philippines.
The Cardinal, with a broad and friendly smile, promised us a few minutes after the meeting with the bishops. His time is limited because he was to preside at a special eucharist for the Order. This Eucharist celebrated the first meeting of the bishops, the 420 anniversary of the Recollection, the closure of the years of vocations and the centenary of the Chapter of San Millan, which gave a new Augustinian and missionary drive to the proceedings.
We gathered in a cosy corner of the Spiritual Centre for our interview. His Eminence's Spanish is very good but he insisted we correct any errors. He spoke with confidence and and reinforced his speech with magnificent hand gestures accompanied with a confiding look.
Q.- Eminence, How long will you be with us in Spain?
A.- Only a day and a half because I have come here exclusively for this celebration with the Augustinian Recollects of the centenary of the General Chapter held here. A Chapter which gave new vigour to the Order and helped in it renovation.
Q.- Your journey coincides with the Plenary Assembly of the Episcopal Conference, Did you know you would be meeting the Spanish Bishops?
A.- I have come to visit the Church in Spain on several occasions. This journey is very short, a day and a half, and I made this trip only and exclusively for the Centenary celebration prepared by the Recollects. I came because of my personal friendship with this Order. An Order that I have known for about 40 years, when I was in Panama. There I met a community of Recollects who lived just in front of the Nuncio and it was there my friendship began. A friendship which has grown. My journey is purely for this reason. I came directly to San Millan and when I have finished I will return immediately to Rome. This is not an official visit, this a friendly visit to my friends the Augustinian Recollects.
Cardinal Re: “The thing that most stands out about St. Augustine, when we meet with the Pope, his search for the truth”. Bishops of the poor
Q.- The Augustinian Recollects have 1200 members and of them 20 are bishops (1,6% of their members). What do you think this relatively high number is due to?
A.- I think the high percentage is due to, although there are other Congregations with greater numbers of bishops than the Recollects, we also have to remember they have greater numbers of members. I think, an Order with 1200 members and 20 bishops is due to two reasons. One, because the Recollects in Latin America have several Prelatures, this means that in the past they have accepted very poor places where there were no religious and where they have worked hard with great generosity. As these prelatures still have few priests and the few diocesan vocations are still young, it is normal for the bishops to think of them. Moreover they make excellent bishops. From this we come to the second reason: within the Order there are religious who distinguish themselves by their spirituality and by their cultural outlook. There are priests who are true religious leaders. I would say the majority are in Latin America. In the United States there is only one Recollect Bishop.
The laity
Q.- Monseñor Omella, Bishop of Logrono, said the other day that the European Bishops and the churches of the old continent have to look towards America to learn how the laity are taking real responsibility, even in liturgical celebrations. Do you agree?
A.- It is true that in Latin America there are many lay people who feel dedicated and who wish to help the Church. In Europe there are also a number of them but, in proportion, their number is much fewer than in Latin America where they are of great help to the priests. We think that the catechists who help in parishes and in general the apostolate of the Laity is very important. Vatican Council II encourages it and it is very good
St Augustine
Q.- Benedict XVI has made many pronouncements concerning St Augustine. What do you think is the most outstanding characteristic feature of this great leader of the Church.
A.- The thing that most stands out about St. Augustine, when we meet with the Pope, his search for the truth. St. Augustine in his searching for the truth makes the doctrine pure. It is evident that he was a man who had a great vision and therefore St Augustine is one of the great Fathers of the Church. A widely read Father with a tremendous intelligence.
Election of Bishops
Q.- The tradition of the church speaks of the election of bishops by popular acclamation of the assembly (such is the case of St Augustine) up to what point would the community participate in nominations today?
A.- If we reflect on the origins, of how Judas was replaced, things were simple. The community met and prayed. The Apostles said it should be a person who had been among then from the beginning and who had followed Christ. Then they indicated those who could be voted and the lot fell to Mathias. It was all very simple. Later in the first centuries they were communities. Today the appointment is made by the Pope, but the first stages are made in consultation in the places where there is no prelate. Bishops from the area are consulted along with some priests, but also the laity are consulted, especially those who are in movements, the religious men and women. It depends on each case, the laity are always listened to and their suggestions are noted and they are of much help.
The threat of death
Q.- Monseñor Azcona the Augustinian Bishop of Marajó, has been threatened with death. Do you know of the case?
A.- I don’t have any knowledge of this case but I am not surprised he is threatened as it has happened to more than one bishop. Normally these threats happen because of the work of the bishop above all in the area of social services and humanity. Sometimes the work of the bishop plays a key role and is misunderstood by others who make great efforts to block with threats. Why was he threatened?
Q.- Because he denounced the sexual trafficking of women in his area.
A.- The cases of bishops being threatened are not rare and they are threatened because they have defended the rights of people, the rights of the most vulnerable people. But our bishops have shown a great strength enduring these threats and continuing in the defence of the evangelical values and human rights.
The Cardinal looked at his watch. We both agree that it is getting late and he is just in time for his journey. As we prepared to leave we commented on the work of the youth of world. We felt assured that Spain would know how to organise well and would report the spiritual benefits to the whole country. With his hugh smile he thanked us for the interview and thanked us and apologised (without need) for his poor Spanish.