Alberto Suárez Inda was born on 30 January 1939 in Celaya, in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato. He pursued humanities studies in Morelia before being sent to Rome, where he studied at the Pontifical Latin American College and the Pontifical Gregorian University from 1958 to 1965. He was ordained a priest on 8 August 1964, and on returning to Mexico served as a parish vicar in Morelia and Pátzcuaro, as a teacher, as pastor of a newly-established parish in his native Celaya, and later as rector of that city's minor seminary.
On 5 November 1985 Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Tacámbaro; he received episcopal consecration on 20 December 1985. Nearly a decade later, on 20 January 1995, the same pope named him Archbishop of Morelia, the historic metropolitan see in the capital of Michoacán, where he was installed on 24 February 1995. Over more than twenty years there he erected some forty new parishes and helped bring about the creation of the Diocese of Irapuato. On 4 January 2015 Pope Francis announced his elevation, and in the consistory of 14 February 2015 created him a cardinal, assigning him the titular church of San Policarpo (St. Polycarp) — the first cardinal in the history of the Archdiocese of Morelia. Having reached the age of seventy-five, he saw his resignation accepted by Pope Francis on 5 November 2016.
Suárez Inda's years in Morelia coincided with some of the worst cartel violence in Mexico, as Michoacán became a byword for organized crime under La Familia Michoacana and the Knights Templar. He emerged as a calm pastoral voice who denounced narco-violence, corruption, and the abandonment of the young, yet refused to surrender to despair, insisting that the Church accompany the poor and form a laity of genuine social conscience. Commentators widely read his red hat as an expression of Pope Francis's determination to honour the peripheries, raising up a shepherd from a suffering diocese rather than a traditionally favoured see. Even so, he received the dignity soberly, calling it less an honour than a responsibility.
Consequential Quotes
Thank God our temples are full, but many, above all young people, are left on the margins.
The church should not obscure the face of God, should not stand in front of the sun, but should be a true moon, which does not pretend to be the sun, but reflects its light.
The name 'Michoacan' is now associated with organized crime, with these groups. It's a very worrisome situation.
The most important thing for me is to train the laity with a social consciousness. That it not only be a devotional Christianity of prayer, of fiestas, but also work in the society.
We are hitting rock bottom, it is time to react.
Major Works & Initiatives
Bishop of Tacámbaro
Named by Pope John Paul II on 5 November 1985 and consecrated on 20 December 1985, beginning nearly a decade of episcopal ministry in Michoacán before his promotion to Morelia.
Archbishop of Morelia
Led the historic metropolitan see for more than twenty years, erecting roughly forty new parishes, helping establish the Diocese of Irapuato, and ordaining a large number of priests and several bishops.
Michoacán bishops' plea for peace
Joined the bishops of Michoacán in a December 2014 statement pleading for reconciliation after a shootout between rival self-defence groups left eleven dead, 'Enough! We don't want more blood.'
Created cardinal — first from Morelia
Elevated by Pope Francis in the consistory of 14 February 2015 with the titular church of San Policarpo, the first cardinal in the archdiocese's history and a signal of the pope's attention to the peripheries.