Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Havana (Agenzia Fides) – A large gathering of faithful from the Archdiocese of Havana and other neighboring dioceses, along with priests and religious, all attended the funeral services held for Fr. Eduardo de la Fuente Serrano in the Church of Saint Clare of Assisi. Fr. de la Fuente died on February 14, victim of a criminal act (see Fides 16/2/2009).
The funeral Mass was presided by Bishop Alfredo Petit, Auxiliary Bishop of Havana and Vicar of the southern portion of the Archdiocese. Concelebrating at the Mass were Havana Auxiliary Bishop Juan de Dios Hernandez and Bishop Domingo Oropesa of Cienfuegos. Also present was the Ambassador of Spain to Cuba, Manuel Cacho Quesada and the Spanish Consul, Pablo Barrios Almazor.
Hundreds of people came to pay their respects to Fr. Eduardo, who for two years had served in Cuba as the Parish Pastor of the community of Saint Clare of Assisi and who was known for his apostolic zeal, charity, and preference for the poor.
Father Eduardo was a diocesan priest from the Spanish Archdiocese of Madrid-Alcala and arrived in Cuba as a missionary in 2006. Since his arrival in Lawton (part of Havana), he had begun a tireless work of pastoral ministry that brought the community back to life after years without a parish priest. He won the respect and admiration of many who knew him and even those who did not know him personally. The testimonies of those who knew him show his nearness to them all: to the children, elderly, and especially the youth, with whom he had formed a lively and committed youth group in the parish.
Before the Mass ended, Bishop Hernandez expressed the closeness of Cardinal Jaime Ortega, who from outside the country had been following the situation and thanked God above all for having allowed his son Eduardo to “sew the seed of His Kingdom on this little portion of Cuban land.” He also acknowledged the work of many others who have worked non-stop in the effort. He especially wished to thank Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid, for allowing Fr. Eduardo to go to Cuba.
The mortal remains of the priest were taken on February 19 to Spain, where they are expected to arrive at noon today, in the Madrid-Barajas Airport, from whence they will be taken to the priest's hometown of Guadalix de la Sierra, located near Madrid. A wake will be held in the church in the town and the burial will take place on Saturday morning in the local cemetery, according to information released by family members.
The Cuban authorities continue with their investigation, in which various arrests have been made, although no information has been released as to whether or not those responsible for the crime are in captivity. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 20/2/2009)
