Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, of Puerto Rico died on April 10 at the Hospital Espanol Auxilio Mutuo in San Juan at the age of 89. He maintained leadership of the Archdiocese for almost 30 years. The Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuno, has declared 5 days of official mourning for Cardinal Martinez. (IMAGE SOURCE: GOOGLE.COM) The Governor said,
"His wide priestly and pastoral work leaves a rich spiritual legacy, not only for the Catholic faithful, but also for all men of good will," "The cardinal captivated all who knew him; he reached, by his loyalty to God and his church, the highest place in the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico."
Pope Benedict XVI expressed his condolences to the cardinal's family and the people of Puerto Rico in a telegram sent to San Juan Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves. The Vatican released the text of the message April 11.
BENEDICT XVI HAS SENT A TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCE to Archbishop Roberto Octavio Gonzalez Nieves O.F.M. of San Juan de Puerto Rico for the death of Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, archbishop emeritus of the same archdiocese. The cardinal died on 10 April at the age of 89. In the telegram the Holy Father recalls how the late cardinal participated in Vatican Council II and "introduced its dispositions into his particular Church". Cardinal Aponte Martinez likewise "bore witness to his great love for God and the Church, and his great dedication to the cause of the Gospel".
His funeral Mass at 3 p.m., April 16 in the Cathedral of Old San Juan. Cardinal Carlos Amigo Vallejo, of Spain, was presided, with other bishops and the apostolic delegate in Puerto Rico concelebrating.
Born Aug. 4, 1922, in Lajas, Puerto Rico, from a family of 18 children. He earned a Doctorate in law.
He was ordained a priest on April 10, 1950, Pope Paul VI named him a cardinal in 1973.
(FILES FROM VARIOUS NEWS SOURCES)
BENEDICT XVI HAS SENT A TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCE to Archbishop Roberto Octavio Gonzalez Nieves O.F.M. of San Juan de Puerto Rico for the death of Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, archbishop emeritus of the same archdiocese. The cardinal died on 10 April at the age of 89. In the telegram the Holy Father recalls how the late cardinal participated in Vatican Council II and "introduced its dispositions into his particular Church". Cardinal Aponte Martinez likewise "bore witness to his great love for God and the Church, and his great dedication to the cause of the Gospel".
His funeral Mass at 3 p.m., April 16 in the Cathedral of Old San Juan. Cardinal Carlos Amigo Vallejo, of Spain, was presided, with other bishops and the apostolic delegate in Puerto Rico concelebrating.
Born Aug. 4, 1922, in Lajas, Puerto Rico, from a family of 18 children. He earned a Doctorate in law.
He was ordained a priest on April 10, 1950, Pope Paul VI named him a cardinal in 1973.
(FILES FROM VARIOUS NEWS SOURCES)
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