The head of Opus Dei has died at the age of 84 after contracting pneumonia.
Bishop Javier Echevarría, Prelate of the 88-year-old personal prelature that promotes holiness in everyday life, died yesterday (Monday 12 December) at 9.20pm in Rome.
He had been hospitalised recently at the Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital following an infection in his lungs that deteriorated.
“His death marks the end of an era for the prelature, and its next head will be the first one not to have had a personal relationship with the founder”, said Opus Dei in a statement.
Echevarría became Prelate in 1994 and was the second successor of the group’s founder, St Josemaría Escrivá. Known for his personal piety and humility, the Spanish bishop is most recently remembered for his opposition to the negative portrayal of Opus Dei in the popular work of fiction, The Da Vinci Code.
“Those who knew Bishop Javier remember him as a man of deep faith, both strong and very affectionate, with a teasing sense of humour and a great sense of fun”, continued the statement released on his death.
“His time as prelate of Opus Dei was characterised by fidelity to the spirit of St Josemaría, apostolic expansion, and close union with all the Popes who reigned during his time of office, namely John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis, whom he loved and served loyally.”
On hearing the news, Pope Francis expressed condolences to the members of Opus Dei. He said Bishop Echevarria, like his predecessors, "gave his life in a constant service of love to the Church and to souls."
"I join you in your prayers of thanksgiving to God for his paternal and generous witness of priestly and episcopal life," the Pope told the group's members.
Calling the bishop's death "unexpected", the Pope assured Opus Dei of his prayers and entrusted Bishop Echevarria's soul to Our Lady of Guadalupe, "on whose feast day he gave his soul to God".
After a period of mourning an elective congress will be convoked within three months to decide the next leader of Opus Dei. In the meantime the governance of the prelature falls to the auxiliary vicar, Monsignor Fernando Ocariz.
READ MORE: THE LIFE OF BISHOP JAVIER ECHEVARRIA
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