Bishop Lückert dies: Column of faith and democracy in Venezuela

The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Coro (Venezuela) confirmed the death of Mons. Roberto Lückert, Bishop Emeritus of this ecclesial jurisdiction, after several days admitted to intensive care in a hospital in Maracaibo, due to complications related to COVID-19.

Throughout his hospitalization, which began on May 28, Bishop Lückert—83 years old—always remained in critical condition. In the end, as reported by his family on his Instagram accounthis health was also complicated due to the diabetes and hypertension he suffered.

His funeral will be held in the Maracaibo Cathedral, today June 16, and his remains will rest in the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción church.

“The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Coro, shares the deepest feeling of communion and hope, and notifies that, today, June 16, 2024, Bishop Roberto Lückert León, comforted with the sacraments, has left for the Father’s house,” said the Archdiocese of Coro it’s a statement.

For its part, The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) highlighted “his dedication to the Church and his generous spirit” that left “an indelible mark on all who knew him.”

According to the CEV, Bishop Lückert’s legacy “will remain in the causes he bravely defended: the poor, democracy and faith.” Throughout his life, the late bishop was a voice of hope and clarity, who fearlessly denounced the abuses and corruption of Chavismo, which led him to clash—many times—with senior officials of the regime.

Who was Monsignor Roberto Lückert?

Bishop Roberto Luckert was born in Maracaibo, Zulia state (Venezuela), on December 9, 1939. He was the oldest of eight children. His father Walter, originally from Germany, was Lutheran and his mother, Carmen Alicia, was from the state of Trujillo—in the Venezuelan Andes—and very Catholic.

At the age of 18 he entered the Minor Seminary of Maracaibo, and at the age of 19 he entered the Santa Rosa de Lima Interdiocesan Seminary, located in Caracas, where he studied Theology and Philosophy.

He was ordained a priest on August 14, 1966, and was appointed vicar of the Santa Bárbara parish in Maracaibo. Later, he was a member of the team of priests in charge of the Vocational Center of the Archdiocese of Marcaibo.

In 1972, he founded the San Juan Bautista parish and was appointed parish rector of Nuestra Señora de Chiquinquirá and San Juan de Dios until 1977, the year in which Bishop Domingo Roa Pérez, Archbishop of Maracaibo, elected him as his Vicar General.

He was appointed director of the newspaper The spine in 1979. In 1980 he served again as parish priest of the Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, in Maracaibo.

Since April 27, 1985, he was Bishop of Cabimas and received episcopal ordination on June 29 of that same year. Later, he was president of the CEV Media Commission and the Department for Social Communications of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM).

On July 21, 1993, he was named Bishop of the Diocese of Coro, taking office on October 2 of that same year. On November 23, 1998, the Diocese of Coro was elevated to Metropolitan Archdiocese, and on February 20, 1999, Bishop Roberto Lückert was consecrated as the first Archbishop of Coro, in the Cathedral of Santa Ana.

On June 25, 2010, as part of the celebration of his 25 years as bishop, he was appointed Illustrious Son of Zulia for the governance of that state. In Maracaibo, an avenue is named after him, “in recognition of his exemplary priestly career, integrity, courage and recognized struggles to strengthen Venezuelan democracy,” the CEV explained.

In 2016, after 50 years of priestly ministry, he was succeeded by Bishop Mariano Parra as pastor of the Archdiocese of Coro, becoming archbishop emeritus.