By Victoria Cardiel
Vatican City, Apr 1, 2025 / 07:00 am
In 2016, Pope Francis introduced the ministry of the Missionaries of Mercy during the extraordinary holy year. For Argentine priest José Luis Quijano, this initiative brought about a renewal of his priestly zeal. With over three decades of ministry, he believed he had learned all there was to learn.
“I wasn’t just a priest going through the motions; I was always very pastoral, but this brought about a true renewal in the core of my ministry,” he shared with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, nine years after being entrusted with the task of spreading God the Father’s boundless forgiveness.
“Mercy is not just for the righteous or the good. It is for the sinner, the one who has committed terrible deeds, the one who doesn’t deserve it,” he explained.
Even before taking on this mission of mercy, Quijano had made a crucial decision: to stand by a former priest in prison who had been convicted of a heinous crime.
For 20 years, despite the challenges, he remained unwavering in his commitment to be there for a man tainted by a terrible act.
“When you visit a prisoner like him, there are often no words exchanged. We spent hours in silence. Sometimes, I had to travel long distances just to see him, facing rejections at the prison gates,” he recounted, driven only by the words of the Gospel: “I was in prison and you visited me.”
Quijano had known the priest since the early 1990s and had noticed troubling signs in his behavior, hinting at a life that was far from orderly. In 1997, the truth came to light.
Forgiveness and Mercy: A Deeper Look Through the Eyes of a Missionary of Mercy
The story of a priest involved in a scandal, later laicized, serves as a powerful example of the complexities of forgiveness and mercy. After admitting guilt, facing prosecution, conviction, and serving two decades in prison, his journey towards redemption and reconciliation began.
Reflecting on Pope Francis’ call to the Missionaries of Mercy, Quijano, a member of this group, pondered on the true essence of mercy. He realized that true mercy lies in loving those who may not deserve it, a challenging yet essential aspect of forgiveness.
While acknowledging the irreparable harm caused by the former priest to his victims, Quijano emphasized the distinction between divine forgiveness and societal condemnation. Despite internal repentance, the world’s rejection and judgment often persist, creating a barrier to reintegration and forgiveness.
Upon the former priest’s release from prison, he faced exclusion and struggled to rebuild his life. Quijano highlighted the harsh reality of societal stigma, illustrating the complex nature of forgiveness. He noted that mercy should encompass both the victims and the perpetrators, advocating for a holistic approach to healing and reconciliation.
As a Missionary of Mercy, Quijano emphasized the importance of living out mercy in challenging situations, even when it seems impossible or painful. He viewed mercy not just as an act but as a way of life, essential for priests in fulfilling their ministry.
Expanding the Horizons of the Priesthood
During his nine years as a Missionary of Mercy, Quijano engaged in various Vatican meetings that broadened his perspective on the priesthood. These discussions explored crucial topics such as the extent of missionary authority and their relationship with local ecclesiastical authorities.
Pope Francis’ emphasis on mercy as a way of living the priesthood resonated with Quijano and his fellow missionaries, prompting a deeper reflection on their role in promoting forgiveness and reconciliation. By embracing a broader vision of the ministry, they strive to embody mercy in all aspects of their work, fostering healing and compassion in a world marked by judgment and exclusion.
