Opus Dei leader dies at 84

December 13, 2016

Bishop Javier Echevarría Rodríguez, who has led Opus Dei since 1994, died on December 12 of a lung infection.

Born in 1932 in Madrid, Bishop Echevarría was ordained to the priesthood in 1955 and served as secretary to Opus Dei’s founder, St. Josemaría Escrivá, until the saint’s death in 1975.

In 1994, Echevarría was elected prelate of Opus Dei, succeeding Blessed Álvaro del Portillo (1914-94). The following year, Pope St. John Paul II ordained him a bishop.

 

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Further information:

• Bishop Echevarría of Opus Dei dies at 84 (Vatican Radio)
• Bishop Javier Echevarria has passed away (Opus Dei)