Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yangon (Fides Service) - Another of the great pioneers of evangelisation in Myanmar has gone to the House of the Father leaving a precious legacy of authentic Christian witness. Fr Igino Matarucco, a member of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions died on 12 December at the age of 82. Padre Matarucco chose to die in the land where he spent more than two thirds of his life. “He loved Burma with a missionary heart for circa 50 years of ministry in the archdiocese of Taunggyi, where bishops, priests and laity were touched by his blessing hand and his fascinating words”, the local Church recalls.
He had returned to Italy only a few months ago on what was to be his last visit toTreviso where he was born to say goodbye to family and friends and then return to his adopted homeland. Fr. Matarucco, seriously ill, was admitted to Taunggyi Centre for the Disabled where he was looked after until the end by the Sisters of Charity.
Shortly before Fr Igino died he received a visit from Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Delegate in Myanmar. “On behalf of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, I thank you warmly for all you have done for this Church” the Archbishop said, offering the priest a small photograph of the Pope and a rosary blessed by him. Then Fr Igino asked the four Bishops who were at his bedside to bless him. That blessing was the crowning of a life time of priestly and missionary service by this Italian who loved the Church in Myanmar as his bride with all his heart and strength and like many other Italian missionaries asked to be buried in that distant Far East country. (PA) (Agenzia fides 20/12/2005 righe 22 parole 233)
