Pope Francis on June 4, 2018, expressed his condolences for the death of Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo, S.D.B., archbishop emeritus of Managua, Nicaragua, who died June 3 at the age of 92.
The Pope’s sentiments came in a telegram to Cardinal Leopoldo Jose Brenes Solorzano, Archbishop of Managua. In the telegram, he noted that the deceased Cardinal had given a life of service to God and the Church.
Here is a ZENIT translation of the telegram:
The Holy Father’s Telegram
Lord Cardinal Leopoldo Jose Brenes Solorzano
Archbishop of Managua
On receiving with grief the news of the death of His Eminence Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo, S.D.B., Archbishop Emeritus of Managua, I express to Your Eminence my heartfelt sympathy, praying that you have the kindness to transmit it also to the members of the Don Bosco Society, to the relatives of the deceased Prelate and to all those that form part of that beloved Archdiocese.
Remembering, likewise, this abnegated Pastor that, for years and with generous fidelity, gave his life at the service of God and of the Church, I offer prayers for the eternal repose of his soul, so that the Lord will grant him the crown of glory that does not wither, and I impart to all the Apostolic Blessing.
Franciscus PP.
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
[Original text: Spanish] [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]
Biography of Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo:
Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo, S.D.B., Archbishop emeritus of Managua (Nicaragua), was born on February 2, 1926, in La Libertad, Nicaragua, in the actual diocese of Juigalpa. After having attended the Salesian College of Granada he obtained a baccalaureate in Latin and Greek; in San Salvador, he received a doctorate in mathematics, physics, and philosophy. After entering the Salesians he studied theology in Guatemala and thereafter vocational psychology in Colombia, in Venezuela, and in Rome.
He was ordained a priest on August 10, 1958, and was professor of mathematics and physics in the superior schools of Nicaragua and El Salvador; Prefect of discipline of the Salesian seminary of San Salvador (1959); Rector of the Rinaldi Institute; Member of the provincial council for Central America of the Congregation (1962); Delegate for Central America and Panama at the XIX General Chapter of the Salesians which was held in Rome in 1965.
Nominated by Paul VI titular bishop of Puzia di Bizacena and Auxiliary of Matagalpa (Nicaragua) on January 18, 1968, he received episcopal ordination on March31, 1968. During this period in Matagalpa, he dedicated particular pastoral attention to the campesinos and to their urgent problems.
On February 16, 1970, he was nominated Archbishop of Managua, taking possession of the archdiocese on April 4, 1970.
He was delegate of the Nicaraguan Bishops for the General Assembly of the Synod of 1971; President of the Nicaraguan Bishops’ Conference for 6 different terms from 1971-1997 and then again in 1999; President of the Bishops’ Secretariat of Central America and Panama from 1976-1980; President of the Department for Religious of the Latin American Bishops’ Conference from 1981 to 1985.
Many international organizations have given him prestigious recognition for his uninterrupted pastoral and humanitarian work.
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Nicaragua, December 1999 – November 2005.
Archbishop emeritus of Managua, April 1, 2005.
He participated in the conclave of April 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI.
Created and proclaimed Cardinal by St. John Paul II in the Consistory of May 25, 1985, of theTitle of St. John the Evangelist a Spinaceto.
