Father Miguel Romero Camarillo is a priest in love with the two countries that have marked his career: his native Mexico and Spain, the country that welcomed him so that he could complete his studies in Canon Law. In both, he has seen a faith which is falling apart, so he is dedicated to preventing this from happening by calling on believers to help revive the faith that has shaped our civilization.
He is currently parish priest of Santa María de la Asunción, in Tlancualpicán, in the Mexican state of Puebla. From there, he analyzes Catholicism in his homeland, one of the countries with the most Catholics in the world: «I think it has become a little cold; I believe that idolatry is catching up with us again. The cult of death, neo-Pentecostalism, the New Age, liturgical abuses, and even the ignorance of the clergy are gradually undermining the truths of the faith.» However, he also points out that there are many Catholics who «are committed to the Church and uphold the life of faith.» But as is so often the case, he adds, «the bad makes more noise.».
Before becoming a priest, Miguel insists that he was a normal, ordinary person. He worked as an industrial chemical technician until, finally, after years of considering his vocation, he decided to take the step that God was calling him to take.
This vocation was cultivated within him from childhood, something that later proved fundamental when his family drifted away from the faith. «My paternal grandmother and my mother, in particular, played an important role. I remember things from my childhood, such as my mother reading me passages from San Francisco or we watched films about saints, or my grandmother told me about the writings of Saint Augustine,» he says.
Among those moments, he highlights something that happened to him when he was only six years old, which he remembers as if it were yesterday: «In preschool, they asked what the Holy Trinity was. And I, at six years old, answered correctly. The teacher's face was something to behold. I then had a strong desire to to be a priest".
However, shortly afterwards his family drifted away from the Church, although that seed had already been planted within him and would eventually sprout a few years later. It was at the age of 16 that Miguel decided to join a parish choir because «I felt that someone was calling me to be there.» He didn't know what he was really being called to do. It would take him five years to find out.
That desire, which I had since I was six years old to be a priest and then disappeared, reappearing with force at the age of 22. «During a Holy Hour, what had been stored away for 16 years was refreshed,» he says. Shortly afterwards, he entered the seminary, where he was ordained a priest in 2017. Just a few months later, his bishop sent him to Pamplona to study for a degree in Canon Law thanks to a grant from the CARF Foundation.
From his experience in the Bidasoa international seminar He says he has “fond memories” because, in addition to the education he received, it was a unique opportunity to do missionary work in Spain. «I helped many people and would like to do so again,» he says of his experience in Europe. In his opinion, «the world's faith is in danger and it seems that faith is disappearing, but I have not seen a place more bleak in this regard than my beloved Spain. There is a lack of love for the Cross.».
Even so, Father Miguel acknowledges that «there are many people fighting to prevent this from happening,» which is why he considers it urgent to «fight in our trenches and help our bishops to be men of faith, courage, and dedication.».
With his love for liturgy and his acquired knowledge of Canonic Law, This priest wants to protect the great treasures of the Church. In his opinion, «faith is revitalized by proper liturgy, and liturgy guided by canon law is wonderful.» And that is where he believes the Church must strive to care for the liturgy with the rich rights acquired after so many centuries of Christianity.
When asked about the challenges facing priests today, Miguel Romero is clear: «The worst danger a priest can face is forgetting why and for whom he consecrated himself, or rather, to whom he entrusted his life.» He believes that «if we were aware of what we have done before God, the Church would reflect a different image.».
Finally, this Mexican clergyman thanks the CARF Foundation all the help they provide. «I appreciate their daily efforts to bring education to the most remote villages. Thank you for everything, and I hope one day to help them continue to spread the knowledge of the Church. Don't forget that this is God's work,» he concludes.
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