VATICAN CITY, JULY 10, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today sent a telegram to the archbishop of Rio de Janeiro expressing condolences at the death of his predecessor Cardinal Eugênio de Araújo Sales.
The cardinal, who in the Pope’s words, had a “long life dedicated to the Church in Brazil,” died late last night at the age of 91.
Born in 1920, Eugênio de Araújo Sales was ordained a priest in 1943 and a bishop in 1954. He participated in the four sessions of the Second Vatican Council. He was named a cardinal in 1969.
In the text of his telegram Benedict XVI recalls the cardinal’s three decades as archbishop of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro and his almost 70 years of priesthood, which were distinguished for “showing to all the path of truth in charity and service.”
