Cardinal Razafindratandra’s body exposed at the church of Antanimena

The Catholic Church and its sheep are mourning their illustrious “father”. Large crowds gathered to pay tribute to Cardinal Razafindratandra’s funerary convoy in the national road 4’s towns and cities between Mahajanga and Antananarivo. Archbishop Odon Razanakolona was anxious to grant believers the occasion to say farewell and to greet one last time the man who has been on top of the church during two decades.  

At the Catholic church of Antanimena, believers will be able to revere the deceased Cardinal’s body. The ceremony of condolences will take place there too. A pray for blessing will be pronounced at Antanimena on Friday at 09:00 a.m., and then the coffin will be driven to its last home. Cardinal Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra will be buried in the bishops’ graveyard by the cathedral of Andohalo. The historic building is currently being restored; on this account, most ceremonies are being held at the church of Antanimena.   

Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra died on Saturday January 09th, 2010 at the age of 83. He dedicated more than 60 years of his life to the church, 55 years of which as priest. For having graduated from Paris’ Catholic institute, the young prelate was dimmed to have a bright future ahead, and became bishop in 1978 at a relatively young age. In 1994, Pope John Paul II appointed him cardinal, a function that he endorsed up to his 80th birthday. During the last years of his life, “Baba” lived in Besalampy, the place that he used to call “home”. He has, on occasion, repeatedly come out of retirement to be back in action during great church events. 

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