Priest of Opus dei dies suffering from ELA: an incurable disease

Last Friday died, in Rome, the P. Álvaro Granadosa beloved priest of Opus Dei, a Spanish university professor and theologian who in recent years suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ELA), an incurable disease that left him immobilized.

Fr. Fernando Puig, rector of the Pontifical University of the Santa Cruz (PUSC), where Fr. Granados served for many years, He has assured That the “sympathy and patience in disease” of the latter, “will be an example of great faith and hope for the entire academic community.”

“We are sure that from heaven he will continue to pray for the university and for all the people who, over the many years he spent in Rome, knew him and valued him as a priest and as a teacher,” he added.

In one Interview granted years ago By Fr. Granados, he demonstrated his deep commitment to evangelization. This was expressed in one of his reflections recorded on video: “Catechesis is no longer enough, it is no longer enough. There are other fundamental elements on which we must focus. For example, the family. For example, the educational issue. ”

For Father Granados, Evangelizing did not mean only teaching Catholic doctrine, but also transforming lives. This was stated by stating: “It is necessary to transform people’s lifestyles (…) Not only the immediate emotion is beautiful, but there are beautiful things that go further and that open me to the mystery of God, to the mystery of love , to the mystery of friendship. ”

Álvaro Granados, born in Madrid in 1964, completed his law degree at the University of La Laguna, Tenerife, in 1988. Subsequently, he moved to Rome, where he specialized in fundamental theology at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce, obtaining the PhD in Philosophy in 1996.

He was ordained a priest in 1994 and, for more than a decade, between 1995 and 2006, he performed the role of trainer at the International Ecclesiastical College Sedes Sapientiae. In addition, he worked as rector of the Tiberine Priestly School. In 2009, he reached a second doctorate, this time in pastoral theology, at the Pontifical Latarenense University.

In his last years, Fr. Granados dedicated his time to receiving the faithful and friends who visited him, distributing this ministry in two moments of the day: an hour and a half in the morning, after celebrating the Mass, and another hour and a half in the afternoon.

As reported Italian newspaper Happenthe priest developed his pastoral work in the San Josemaría Escrivá parish, located in the Ardeatino neighborhood in Rome. There, in addition to attending the community, it became an important reference for the sick, leaving a legacy of closeness, service and comfort to those who needed it most. The faithful fired him on Sunday 26 at the funerals made in the same Church.

Fr. Álvaro also used to publish videos in his YouTube channel entitled “The Gospel for the sick”, in which he offered his reflections on the Gospel of the day with an approach aimed at people suffering from a disease.

“We join the pain and the prayers of his family for his eternal rest. In addition, in the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare a mass of suffrage will be held soon, whose date will be announced later, ”said the PUSC in a statement.

In the last issue of news of the Holy Croce (p. 77), an article entitled “I have ELA was dedicated, but I am still a priest until the end”, in which he shared his testimony of faith, delivery and strength until his last days.