FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2019
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
John Quaglione
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Diocese of Brooklyn’s First Hispanic Auxiliary Bishop René A. Valero Laid To Rest
The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, presided over the funeral Mass for the Most Reverend René A. Valero. The 88-year old was the first Hispanic to serve as an Auxiliary Bishop within the Diocese of Brooklyn, a position he held for more than 25 years. The funeral this morning was held at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, where Bishop Valero was laid to rest in the Bishops Crypt.
“He helped many people, but especially those most in need, like immigrants and senior citizens. He was a social worker and did that in order to help more people. His Episcopal ministry was one of service to people. He died after a very difficult, long illness that he never complained about; he took it in stride and always had a smile on his face,” said Bishop DiMarzio.
“He did his ministry with great love, with great compassion, humility, and simplicity. He gave himself to those who needed him. He was Venezuelan, that was his origins, but he did not just minister to Hispanics. He ministered to all in the Diocese. Hispanics in the Diocese will feel the loss because he touched so many lives and families with his smile, his love, and his care. So we say goodbye to a good friend, we say goodbye to a good priest of God, an example to all of us,” said Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros.
B-roll of this morning’s funeral for Retired Auxiliary Bishop René A. Valero in Douglaston can be found on this link:
https://vimeo.com/