Church authorities from various countries expressed their condolences and solidarity with the members of the Heralds of the Gospel.

Newsroom (01/11/2024 17:09, Gaudium Press ) This Friday, 1 November, several Cardinals and Bishops issued notes of condolences for the death of Monsignor João Scognamiglio Clá Dias, Founder of the International Private Association of the Faithful, Heralds of the Gospel, the Clerical Society of Apostolic Life, Virgo Flos Carmeli and the Feminine Society of Apostolic Life, Regina Virginum. Below is a selection of extracts from some of these messages of condolence and sorrow.

Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, Archbishop of São Paulo (SP)

Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, Metropolitan Archbishop of São Paulo, expressed his ‘solidarity and comfort to the members of the Heralds of the Gospel’, stating that Monsignor João Clá ‘stood out for his leadership and his commitment to bringing young people together to live the Christian life more intensely, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and communion with the Church, even in the midst of difficulties and misunderstandings’.

Finally, Bishop Odilo assures that the Archdiocese of São Paulo ‘offers its prayers and supplications for Monsignor João Clá and prays to God to welcome and reward him in eternity for his witness of faith and his service to the mission of the Church’.

Cardinal Orani João Tempesta, Archbishop of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

Cardinal Orani João Tempesta, Metropolitan Archbishop of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, sent his condolences to all the members of the Heralds of the Gospel, emphasizing that ‘Monsignor João Clá Dias leaves an immense legacy in the spiritual formation of many, especially in promoting devotion to the Virgin Mary, Christian formation and liturgical beauty’.

The Cardinal also expressed his wish that ‘the Light of Christ may envelop him eternally and that his living memory may remain among us’ and concluded his message by sending his fraternal blessing to the entire Heralds of the Gospel family.

Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, Archbishop Emeritus of Aparecida (SP)

Cardinal Raymundo Cardinal Damasceno Assis, Archbishop Emeritus of Aparecida (SP), wrote a message of sorrow recalling that Bishop João Clá Dias was an ‘apostolic man who, among his achievements, has the pontifical approval of the International Association of the Faithful “Heralds of the Gospel” and two Societies of Apostolic Life, “Flos Carmeli” and “Regina Virginum”’.

‘We pray to God to welcome his soul, while his body awaits the resurrection on the last day. Together with this prayer, we also ask him to bless those of his sons and daughters who are the spiritual heirs of his work of evangelization. To all those who suffer the pain of bereavement, we are close and offer our fraternal prayers,’ he concluded.

Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, Archbishop Emeritus of Lima (Peru)

Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, Archbishop Emeritus of Lima (Peru) sent a note of condolence in which he thanks God for the fidelity and dedication of Monsignor John and commends his soul to God’s mercy. ‘May the Virgin of Fatima, whom he loved so much, receive him in Heaven’. The Cardinal also urged the Heralds to ‘remain faithful and united to the Founder’.

Gil Antônio Moreira Archbishop of Juiz de Fora (MG)

Gil Antônio Moreira, Metropolitan Archbishop of Juiz de Fora, expressed his sorrow at the death of Monsignor João Clá Dias, spiritually uniting the Heralds of the Gospel ‘in the Easter confidence of the resurrection of the dead and in gratitude to God for the supreme good he spread while he lived among us.

‘After a life covered in visible divine graces, marked by the seal of the Cross of Christ that sometimes weighed on his shoulders, he leaves today for the Paternal House, the one who received the mission of founding, presiding over and spreading throughout the orb, the praises of God through the Via Pulchritudinis and Catholic doctrine with visible denouement and sincere love’.

Bishop Pedro Luiz Stringhini, Bishop of Mogi das Cruzes (SP)

Presenting his deepest condolences to the Heralds of the Gospel on the death of Monsignor João Clá Dias, Bishop Pedro Luiz Stringhini of Mogi das Cruzes (SP) said that the diocese is united in prayer for his soul.

‘God rewards him and comforts the hearts of all those who suffer from the departure of their dear brother.’ The Diocese of Mogi das Cruzes ‘raises thanksgiving to the Most High God for the inestimable good that [Monsignior João Clá Dias] has done for the evangelizing work of the Church in Brazil and in the world’.

Bishop Sérgio Aparecido Colombo, Bishop of Bragança Paulista (SP)

In an official statement, Bishop Sérgio Aparecido Colombo, Bishop of Bragança Paulista (SP), expressed his sincere condolences and deep sorrow, in the certainty of the resurrection in Christ, at the death of the founder of the Heralds of the Gospel.

‘Monsignor João, with his dedication, leaves a legacy of profound spirituality and evangelization that has marked the lives of many, leading souls to an intense experience of the Faith and love for Our Lady of the Rosary. His work resonates in various parts of the world, and our diocese is a witness to his mission,’ reads an extract from the message.

Archdiocese of Asunción, Paraguay

The Archdiocese of Asunción in Paraguay shared a message expressing sorrow, solidarity and spiritual closeness, stressing that the presence and dedication of Monsignor João Clá Dias in the communities where he worked will be felt and remembered by many. ‘May his example continue to inspire all those who knew him,’ the note concludes.

Archbishop Alfredo José Espinoza Mateus, Archbishop of Quito and Primate of Ecuador

Archbishop Alfredo José Espinoza Mateus, Archbishop of Quito and Primate of Ecuador, wrote that, in light of the news of the death of Monsignor João Scognamiglio Clá Dias, he joins in the sorrow of his family and friends, and especially with the members of the Heralds of the Gospel. ‘In these moments of sorrow and hope in the Resurrection, we raise our prayers for the eternal repose of his soul.’

Bishop Roberto Francisco Ferreira Paz, Bishop of Campos dos Goytacazes (RJ)

Monsignor Roberto Francisco Ferreira Paz, Bishop of Campos dos Goytacazes (RJ), said he joined in prayer for the soul of Monsignor João Clá Dias, stressing that he was a ‘zealous believer in the liturgy’ who ‘in his lifetime encouraged devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, sought and served ecclesial unity and communion. May his example of evangelical devotion be a model for us in our journey and in the building of the Kingdom’.

The note concludes by entrusting the founder of the Heralds of the Gospel ‘to the intercession of the Virgin of Mercy, so that God may grant him the inheritance promised to good and faithful servants: the contemplation of His glory’.

Messages of condolences keep coming in

Other Church authorities who spoke out were: Monsignor Marcos Pérez Caicedo, Archbishop of Cuenca, Ecuador; Monsignor Lucio Angelo Maria Renna, Bishop Emeritus of San Severo, Italy; Monsignor Ricardo Garcia, Bishop of Cañete, Peru; Bishop Carlos Lema Garcia, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of São Paulo and Episcopal Vicar of the Episcopal Vicariate for Education and the University; Bishop Antônio Luiz Catelan Ferreira, Auxiliary Bishop of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro; Bishop José Aparecido Gonçalves de Almeida, Bishop of Itumbiara (GO).

Civil authorities also expressed their condolences. São Paulo state deputy Gil Diniz expressed his condolences, emphasizing that ‘Monsignor João Clá was one of the greatest men of his time. He dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel, to devotion to Our Lady and to the education and formation of countless young people around the world’.

The deputy also said that ‘his departure will leave us with nostalgia and eternal gratitude’ and that ‘in this time of mourning, we are consoled by the reminder that the work he began will endure, and the Heralds of the Gospel will continue to spread Christ’s teachings on earth, honouring the memory of their founder’. (EPC)

Compiled by Sandra Chisholm