Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jul 9, 2007 / 11:37 am (CNA).- The Salesian provincial superior for the region of Northern Patagonia, Father Vicente Tirabasso, said this week the upcoming beatification of the Mapuche Indian Ceferino Namuncura would provide young people with an excellent role model of being faithful to the gospel.

In statements to the AICA news agency, Father Tirabasso said the news of the beatification was “an immense joy” that “shows once again that the evangelization and witness to the faith by the Salesian family leads to fullness of life.”

Father Tirbasso explained that the official announcement of the beatification would be made by the Bishops’ Conference of Argentina, but he revealed that it would take place on November 11 in the town of Chimpay, where Namuncura was born.  He said the Superior General of the Salesians, Fr. Pascual Chavez Villanueva, would be present at the event.

He noted that the cause for beatification was opened because of Namuncura’s “radical and profound faith, because he loved Christ in his people,” and because of his “attitude of service, becoming a priest to be a missionary among his people and enduring the sufferings of his illness as a sacrifice for souls.”

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