Mons. Manuel Hilario de Céspedes, Bishop Emeritus of Matanzas dies

Mons. Manuel Hilario de Céspedes and García Menocal, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Matanzas, died on the night of March 26, at the age of 81.

Known in Cuba as Father Manolo, he was born in Havana, in 1948, and studied electrical engineering in Puerto Rico before following the vocational call to the priesthood.

His religious formation was in Caracas, Venezuela, where he attended the San José Seminary and where he was ordained a priest on May 21, 1972. For twelve years he served in that city with humility and delivery, until in 1984 he requested to return to Cuba to exercise his ministry.

Upon his return, he was destined for the diocese of Pinar del Río, where he had a key role in pastoral life with Mons. José Siro González Bacallao, who was close collaborator, friend and brother in the faith. She was a pastor of Our Lady of Charity and the Community of Mines de Matahambre. He was present at the Cuban Ecclesial National Meeting (ENEC), in 1986.

From 1987 and 2005, Father Céspedes was a priest advice of the Catholic Commission for Culture, and stood out for his impulse to the Cuban laity. Founding member of the Civic and Religious Training Center and the influential magazine Stained glass.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Matanzas in 2005, a position he held until his retirement, in 2022.

“He called me buddy Because I was my son’s godfather Javier. I learned a lot from his love to Christ, to Cuba and his church, united without a break in a single heart, ”recalls the Cuban Catholic Dagoberto Valdés in a note sent to the press.