Bishop Leovigildo López Fitoria, CM
The members of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, the clergy in the Diocese of Granada, as well as the clergy from other Ecclesiastical Dioceses, together with the people of God, gathered together to pay their final respect to Bishop Leovigildo López Fitoria, who was buried in the parish of Saint James, Apostle, beneath the image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal to whom he had a great devotion.
Bishop López Fitoria was born on June 7, 1927 in Boaco, Nicaragua. He entered the Congregation of the Mission on January 30, 1945 and on July 11th, 1954 was ordained a priest. He studied first in Mexico and then in Spain and England. He was a theology professor at the Diocesan Seminary in the Federal District of Mexico and pastor of the parish in Guadalajara, in Mérida and in Yucatán. He ministered for eight years in the parish of the Recolección in León and was director of the Internal Seminary (Guatemala) for two years. On October 7th, 1972, he was ordained as bishop of the Diocese of Granada (Nicaragua). On December 5th, 2003, Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation as bishop and since that time Bishop Leovigildo resided at “Villa Leo” in Diriá-Granada.
Members of the Episcopal Conference began to gather together early in morning and at 11:00am the Funeral Liturgy was begun. Cardinal Leopoldo José Brenes, presided and was accompanied by his brother Bishops and by many members of the clergy. In his homily, Bishop Jorge Solórzano, the present bishop of the Diocese of Granada, thanked all those who participated in the Eucharist and highlighted some aspects of Bishop López’s personal and ministerial life. He spoke about the bishop’s dynamism, generosity and the impact that he had on people’s lives. His life was one of service on behalf of others. At the same time, he was firm in his faith and gave witness to the gospel which was the foundation of his activity. Bishop Solórzano went on to state that his love of the priesthood and vocations led him to undertake the construction of the Major Seminary, Saint Peter, Apostle and the Minor Seminary, Saint Vincent de Paul. His love for those in need, especially the elderly, is reflected in the many institutions that he established for the aged and the infirm. Then, at the time of final prayers for the deceased, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes spoke about the manner in which the Bishop united people together. Throughout his life, as a priest, bishop and then during the time of his illness, the Bishop gave witness as a prayerful son of God.
The celebration of the Eucharist was followed by a procession through the street to the parish church of Saint James, Apostle, where he was buried. This procession was led by the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua and included priests, men and women religious, and the faithful. Bishop Leovigildo, may you rest in peace.
Taken from: http://cen-nicargua.org/
Translated: Charles T. Plock, CM
May his soul rest in peace.