Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quito (Agenzia Fides) – Cardinal Antonio González Zumárraga, Archbishop Emeritus of Quito, President of Honor of the Ecuadorian Bishops’ Conference and President of the Central Committee of the Third American Missionary Congress (CAM 3 – comla 8), died on Monday, October 13, 2008 in his residence, at the age of 83, after a long battle with an illness that had been affecting his health for the last several years. A wake is being held at the Cathedral in Quito, until the celebration of the Funeral Mass on October 14, at noon, which will be followed by his burial in the crypt of the Cathedral. The Bishops of Ecuador, who are right now in Rome for the Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, prayed in a special way for the repose of the soul of the Cardinal in the Thanksgiving Mass celebrated in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, for the Canonization of Saint Narcisa de Jesus. Cardinal Antonio González Zumárraga was a zealous pastor of the Archdiocese of Quito and also served for some time as Bishop of the Diocese of Machala.
According to a statement sent to Agenzia Fides from Osvaldo Fierro, National Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in Ecuador, the Cardinal was a fundamental support in the Missionary Congress. “In spite of his great suffering from his illness, Cardinal González took up his role with great responsibility and commitment, especially as President of the Central Committee for CAM 3, and since he received the appointment in November 2003, he was always careful to oversee each one of the preparatory steps taken. In the days leading up to the Congress, he centered all his attention on each one of the Congress’ details, the proposed activities, and the itinerary. Even in spite of his health, he was present at all the events during the Congress.” On September 6, he participated in the evaluation meeting for CAM 3-comla8, where he gave a speech thanking all the members of the various committees in cooperating with the Congress and encouraged all to continue cooperating in the missionary dimension of the Church in Ecuador. The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, sent a letter congratulating him for the successful outcome of the Third American Missionary Congress and assuring of his “prayer that the Almighty may grant you abundant gifts of peace and spiritual serenity in your constant service to the Church.”
Cardinal Jose Antonio González was born in Pujili, Province of Cotopaxi, on March 18, 1925. He studied at San Jose Major Seminary in Quito and at the Pontifical University of Salamanca (Spain), where he earned a Doctorate in Canon Law. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1951. In October 1958, he was appointed subsecretary of the Curia of Quito, later Chancellor and Vicar of Pastoral Activity. He taught at the School of “Sagrados Corazones” in Rumipamba and in the Departments of Economy, Law, and Theology at the Pontifical University in Ecuador. On May 17, 1969 he was named Bishop of Tagarata and Auxiliary Bishop of Quito, receiving episcopal ordination in Quito on June 15, 1969. In March 1976, he was named Apostolic Administrator of Machala and in January 1978, Bishop of Machala. On June 28, 1980 he was transferred to Quito as Coadjutor Archbishop, and on June 1, 1985 he was installed as Archbishop of Quito, succeeding Cardinal Pablo Muñoz Vega.
He participated in the III and IV General Conferences of the Latin American Bishops in Puebla y Santo Domingo. In the Latin American Bishops’ Conference (CELAM), he was member of the Bishops’ Committee for Consecrated Life, President of the Catechetical Department, and member of the Bishops’ Committee for Vocations and Ministries. He was also Counselor on the Pontifical Commission for Latin America (CAL). From 1987-1992, he served as Vice-President and President of the Ecuadorian Bishops’ Conference. He also headed up the Bishops’ Commissions for Liturgy and the Magisterium.
He was created Cardinal on February 21, 2001 by Pope John Paul II. In his final years, he collaborated in the national Marriage Tribunal and headed up the organization of the Third American Missionary Congress (CAM 3). (RG) (Agenzia Fides 14/10/2008)
