The Archdiocese of Guatemala reported this Easter Sunday, April 5, that Monsignor Mario Enrique Ríos Montt passed away.
Through social networks, the Church said that Monsignor Ríos Montt He was auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Santiago de Guatemala.
Monsignor Gonzalo de Villa, metropolitan archbishop of Santiago de Guatemala, He expressed his regret and condolences to the family.
“Let everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him, may he have eternal life and may I resurrect him on the last day”, he shared, remembering Jesus’ quote in John 6:40.
According to the Latin American Episcpopal Council, Monsignor Ríos Montt was born on March 17, 1932 in Huehuetenango, and was ordained a priest on July 12, 1959.
He is recognized as one of the tireless fighters for human rights.
In 1987 he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Guatemala. In 2010, Ríos Montt asked for and was accepted to retire.
However, in July 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him apostolic administrator of the Vicariate of Izabal, at 79 years old.
In a country that experienced bloody years due to the internal armed conflict, Monsignor He also experienced death threats, as recorded by the Human Rights Office of the Archbishopric of Guatemala.
He stood out for his closeness to people and for their revitalizing and hopeful messages.
The prelate of the Catholic church He was the brother of the former military man and politician Efraín Ríos Montt, who died on April 1, 2018, precisely on Easter Sunday.