Pope troubled over Mexican drug trafficking violence

Rome, Italy, May 11, 2012 / 11:08 am

The former head of the Pontifical Council for Health Care, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, said Pope Benedict is very concerned about the violence in Mexico caused by the drug trade.

In an interview with CNA, Cardinal Lozano Barragan said the pontiff “is calling on all Mexicans, especially those involved in drug trafficking, to understand and realize that life does not end here, but that another life that never ends comes after this one, and that it will depend on what we do in this world.”

The cardinal lamented that it “is often believed that the end to which our entire existence must be directed is the possession of power and money, in order to have limitless pleasure, even if one dies immediately or lives a short life.”

Mexican officials estimate that over 34,000 have been killed in the country due to drug-related violence since 2006.

Cardinal Lozano Barragan joined the Pope in voicing dire concern over the current situation in Mexico, stressing that perpetrators are “going to be judged for eternal life according to how we live now.”

“Those who kill others are guilty of death and will be judged by God, and afterwards will come what is called eternal death,” he said.

Cardinal Lozano Barragan noted that God is merciful and that no sin is beyond his forgiveness “in this life.” But after death, he said, comes justice.

The cardinal said Pope Benedict XVI’s March 23-25 visit to Mexico fulfilled its objectives, as the Pope “united all Mexicans in order to strengthen our Catholic Church.”

“One can sense in Mexico an enthusiasm, a dedication and a total commitment to the Holy Father,” he said. The Pope has fond memories of his stay in the country, “and he is very happy because everything happened just as he hoped.”