TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL VELASCO

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2003 (VIS) - Upon the death of Cardinal Ignacio Antonio Velasco Garcia, S.D.B., archbishop of Caracas, Venezuela, after a long illness, John Paul II sent a telegram of condolences to the apostolic administrator of the archdiocese.

The Pope writes of the cardinal who was 74 years old: "His generous and intense ministerial work, first as a Salesian, then as a teacher of young people, and then as a priest and later as apostolic vicar of Puerto Ayacucho, until the moment in which he was called to serve in this important role (as archbishop), bears witness to his great dedication to the cause of the Gospel, and at the same gives proof of his deep love for the Church and the qualities that he was blessed with."

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