Cardinal Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra had dedicated nearly sixty years of life to serve God. He was an emblematic leader for the Catholic Church, the man behind the reform according to Vatican II as sheep were swaying religious color, or turning into believers moving away from active commitment. For being true to many of the Roman Catholic church’s traditions and basic culture, he led no real revolution.  

Even after his retirement, the Cardinal was still in action at the time of the significant religious events. His presence on its own was a pledge of relevance for any ceremony. Jubilees, priests’ knighting or inaugurations used to look for his presence. His last show was in honour of late Jacques Sylla, former Prime minister and president of the national assembly, back on December 30th, 2009.  

All along the 1990’s, Cardinal Razafindratandra has had a significant political influence, mostly due to the relevance of the Catholic Church in the country; he undisputedly was the most important figure of the FFKM, the Council of the four biggest Christian churches of Madagascar. He definitely triggered the increasing closeness between church and political leaders.  

Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra was close to the Catholic president Albert Zafy. This alliance would have been fatal to president Ratsiraka who lost the power because the church had supported the popular struggle in 1991. In 2002, the FFKM and Cardinal Razafindratandra confronted the admiral once again. Then, an era of close collaboration with President Marc Ravalomanana came up.  

There was great friendship between the president and the cardinal although both men belonged to two different generations. It used to be quite surprising to people since it appeared so unlikely. Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra was a man who fully enjoyed life and laughter. When he retired aged 80 years old, his friend Marc Ravalomanana offered him a house in Besalampy, the place he used to call home and where people used to call him “Baba” or” father”.  

The choice of Besalampy was equally surprising, but the cardinal followed his heart. Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra was actually a major figure of the merina royalty. His statute of church leader obviously forbade him to boast as such in order not to hurt anybody. His friendship with Marc Ravalomanana was wrongly believed to be linked to this “historical” detail. In the end, the alliance serving political, ethnic and religious interests proved to be thoroughly baseless.  

The king died, long live the king. Could the same be told with cardinals? In his lifetime, Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra has never been replaced. His successor on top of the Roman Catholic church in Madagascar has always been the archbishop of Antananarivo , his holiness Odon Razanakolona. The latter has been moving away from political power during President Ravalomanana’s time in office as elected president as well as vice president of the FJKM church. Cardinal Razafindratandra’s weight was missed at the time of the FFKM’s mediation at the beginning of the political crisis. A standing by statesman was certainly lurking behind the acting churchman.