Beatification Process Opened for Bp. Antonio de Aragao

Diocese of Petrolina Opens Beatification Process
for Bishop Antonio Campelo de Aragão, SDB

(ANS – Petrolina, Brazil – Oct. 4, 2023) – A very significant moment took place for the Salesian province Recife (BRE) on October 2 in the cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Christ the King in Petrolina, Pernambuco State, Brazil: the opening of the beatification process for Bishop Antônio Campelo de Aragão, SDB (1904-1988), 4th bishop of Petrolina (1957-1975).

The celebration was organized by the Sisters Mediators of Peace (Irmãs Medianeiras da Paz), a religious congregation founded in 1968 by Bishop Campelo and which in 2019 became the 32d group of the Salesian Family. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Francisco Canindé Palhano of Petrolina, with Salesians Fr. Ilmário de Souza, Fr. Laércio José, and the superior of BRE, Fr. Francisco Inacio, at his side as concelebrants.

Fr. Laércio José wrote a message for the occasion in which he outlined the figure of this Salesian pastor and his relationship with the community of the city and od the diocese, which is today supporting his cause of beatification.

“He was a pastor present, with his gaze turned to the poorest, deeply involved in the reality of the time. He contributed to the development of the city of Petrolina, indeed of the entire diocese. Through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians, may he be raised to the altars of Holy Church. Let us pray for the Sisters Mediators of Peace, who carry out a beautiful and noble mission, reaching the poorest. My feeling is one of great joy. I also took part in Bishop Campelo’s burial in the cathedral in Petrolina.… He is another great saint for the Salesian Family. Petrolina, moreover, is a city marked by the Salesian presence: its first bishop was also a Salesian, Antônio Maria Malan, and it was he who built the cathedral. When he handed it over, he said, “Around a great stone will be born a great nation.” It was prophetic. Today Petrolina is the third largest city in the state.”

For his part, the BRE provincial, Fr. Inacio, shared a public message addressed to Bishop Canindé Palhano and the Sisters Mediators of Peace, in which he wrote: “We Salesians of Don Bosco of Northeast Brazil, the Salesian Family, in particular the Institute of the Sisters Mediators of Peace, rejoice in the Lord and together we sing a hymn of gratitude to Jesus, the Good Shepherd of our souls, who raised up in the midst of his Church a zealous and wise, prudent and enterprising pastor, our brother Bishop Antônio Campelo de Aragão, SDB (4th Bishop of the Diocese of Petrolina, 1957-1975). In addition to his many initiatives for human, social and charitable promotion, we recognize in him above all his profound faith, a bishop son of Don Bosco who gave himself to the mission with tireless ardor, trying to do everything well, with simplicity and measure (cf. C 18).”

“From the confreres who had the opportunity to live with him,” the message concludes, “emerges the portrait of a consecrated man convinced and committed to the Salesian mission, with an always joyful and helpful response. May his example encourage all of us to live a high standard of Christian life, in charity toward our brothers and sisters and in the authenticity of our service to the Gospel of Christ.”