An Act of Remembrance and Tribute
In the parish church of Sant Pau in Tarragona, an emotional event was held in memory of the prelate who was archbishop of Tarragona between 1949 and 1970, the Galician Cardinal Benjamín de Arriba y Castro. The city’s Galician House hosted this event in memory of the cardinal, marking 50 years since his death. The event was presided over by the archbishop of Tarragona, Joan Planellas, who led a responsory for the soul of his predecessor, who led the metropolitan see and primacy of Tarragona.
The Cardinal’s Fervor for the Apostle Pau
During his parliament, Archbishop Joan emphasized the fervor that Cardinal De Arriba y Castro felt for the apostle Pau. This passion was reflected in the prayer, where a passage was chosen from Paul’s first letter to the Christians of Corinth, which expresses the apostle’s commitment to spreading the gospel. The archbishop exhorted those present to transmit the faith of Saint Paul to the new generations, following the cardinal’s example of generosity.
Outstanding Contributions of the Cardinal
The Galician historian Manoel Carrete highlighted the dedication and support that De Arriba y Castro offered to emigrants, as recorded in the recently published book, Retrats de la migración galega a Catalunya. On the other hand, Rafael Muñoz, diocesan delegate for education, offered a documented conference on the life and work of the cardinal, highlighting his fruitful pontificate in the pastoral field and his contribution in favor of the most disadvantaged groups and as an intermediary in various situations.
Closing with an emotional musical performance
The event concluded with an emotional musical performance by the Bulgarian violinist Lyuba, accompanied by the pipers and drummers of the Galician Centre. After the event, attendees had the opportunity to chat in a relaxed atmosphere in the parish offices.
