The Chamber of the Chilean Senate paid tribute to our brother Esteban Gumucio sscc to commemorate the centenary of his birth. Several senators recalled the trajectory and teachings of this simple and humble pastor who developed his pastoral work in the municipalities of La Granja and La Union of the capital Santiago. They highlighted his immense work for the most vulnerable, his priestly vocation and the example of his spiritual life.
Meanwhile, from the grandstands followed this tribute of Bishop Gonzalo Duarte Garcia de Cortázar sscc, Bishop of the Diocese of Valparaiso; relatives of Fr. Esteban, Fr. Rafael Domínguez, vice postulator of the Cause of Beatification. Also present were other brothers and sisters of the Congregation and people from the various works of the Congregation in Santiago, Valparaiso and Viña del Mar.
One of the senators, Mr. García Huidobro, said that he had "the honor to pay tribute to a priest of my school." "He was a shepherd – but also for many people a polemical leading figure, very vehement, perhaps very misunderstood, but he lived with great kindness," he said, recalling his role as pastor of the people and his defense for human rights in time "where the confrontation between Chileans could lead to civil war." "Father Esteban knew closely the extreme poverty in the Population of Joao Goulart. He saw and experienced the suffering of many. And from his pen, in his writings, sprung forth the invitation to contemplate the horror of war between brothers, but also the hope of reunion, in the reconciliation of our people. "
For more information:
http://www.sscc.cl/portada/noticias/634-tribute-in-the-Senate-the-father-esteban.html
10/03/2014