Vatican City, Jul 28, 2020 / 10:15 am (CNA).- The cardinal leading the Vatican’s congregation on consecrated life said Monday that contemplative religious communities are needed and will not disappear, even as more than 30 monasteries closed in Spain last year.

“Contemplative life is not destined to disappear, but must reflect with transparency the ideal of evangelical life of the founders that is at its base,” Cardinal João Braz de Aviz said in an interview published Monday.