Vatican City, Jan 12, 2010 / 09:29 am
Pope Benedict XVI has sent his condolences for the death of Cardinal Armand Gaetan Razafindratandra, archbishop emeritus of Antananarivo, Madagascar, who passed away on January 9 at the age of 84.
In a telegram addressed to Archbishop Odon Marie Arsene Razanakolona of Antananarivo, the Holy Father described the late cardinal as having “dedicated his entire life to helping Madagascans, as a diocesan priest and later as archbishop of Antananarivo, giving the best of himself that Christ might be announced.”
Pope Benedict also offered a prayer in the telegram, asking that “by the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Africa, the Lord may welcome His faithful servant into His Kingdom of peace and light.”
Cardinal Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra, was born in 1925 in Ambohimalaza into a large family with deep Christian roots. He received his primary and secondary education at the parish school of Faravohitra directed by the Brothers of the Christian Schools of Andohalo. The late cardinal went on to the minor seminary of Ambohipo and finally, to the Jesuit-run St. Michael's College, where he earned his diploma.