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Article_OBITUARY: Father Ernesto Molano, 82

Breaking News | Monday, December 15, 2014

OBITUARY: Father Ernesto Molano, 82

Colombian-born priest worked nearly 30 years in Tribunal, served at St. Rose of Lima

Father Ernesto Molano gestures during a 2006 Mass in honor of his 50th anniversary of ordination.

Photographer: FILE PHOTO

Father Ernesto Molano gestures during a 2006 Mass in honor of his 50th anniversary of ordination.

Father Ernesto Molano: Born April 16, 1932, ordained Nov. 18, 1956, died Dec. 13, 2014.

Photographer: FILE PHOTO

Father Ernesto Molano: Born April 16, 1932, ordained Nov. 18, 1956, died Dec. 13, 2014.

MIAMI | Funeral services will take place Wednesday, Dec. 17 at St. Rose of Lima Church, Miami Shores, for Father Ernesto Molano, a retired priest of the archdiocese who died Dec. 13. He was 82 years old and had been a priest for 58 years. 

Much of that time — from 1971 until his retirement from active ministry in 1997 — he served as a canon lawyer in the archdiocese’s Metropolitan Tribunal, and as parochial vicar at St. Rose. Even after retirement, he continued to help out in the Tribunal, coming in once or twice a week as long as his health permitted. 

A photograph that appeared in the Florida Catholic in 2006, noting the 50th anniversary of his ordination, describes him as being known “for his Germanic punctuality, sense of humor, and daily Mass send-off, ‘have a great Florida day.’”  

“He was always very kind to me, very tender,” said Rosario Bergouignan, who worked at the Tribunal from 1980 until her own retirement in 2008.

“At one point he was like my spiritual director and he helped me greatly,” recalled Bergouignan, who at the time was a recently divorced single mother. “He was very supportive.”  

She noted that even after they both retired, his was the first Christmas card she received every year. “And I already got it this year.” 

Father Ernesto Molano greets an archdiocesan co-worker during a 2006 Mass in honor of his 50th anniversary as a priest.

Photographer: FILE PHOTO

Father Ernesto Molano greets an archdiocesan co-worker during a 2006 Mass in honor of his 50th anniversary as a priest.

Born April 16, 1932 in Manizales, Colombia, Father Molano was one of 22 children, 18 of whom survived birth.  

“His mother always thought he would become a priest because of his keen sense of God as a child,” wrote Msgr. Chanel Jeanty, archdiocesan chancellor and vicar general, in an email to archdiocesan priests and staff announcing Father Molano’s death.  

“He was an altar server at age 7 and entered the seminary at age 12,” Msgr. Jeanty wrote. 

Ordained Nov. 18, 1956 for the Archdiocese of Manizales in his native Colombia, Father Molano served as assistant pastor at a parish in Salamina, professor at the major seminary, and chaplain of the Universidad de Caldas until 1964, when he was sent to study canon law in Rome. He returned in 1967 with a licentiate in canon law from the Angelicum and was named rector of the Archdiocese of Manizales’ minor seminary.  

When he came to South Florida in 1971, he began working as an advocate in the Tribunal, later becoming a judge and, from 1986 until 1997, serving as associate judicial vicar.  

He served as associate pastor at Immaculate Conception in Hialeah for two months after his arrival, but then was transferred to St. Rose of Lima, where he remained until his retirement from full time ministry April 16, 1997 — his 65th birthday.  

“He used to love playing soccer and liked to eat ripe plantain omelets,” wrote Msgr. Jeanty. “We also understand that in his younger days he liked to ride the wind on horseback through the countryside and had a special appreciation for music. May he ride on the wings of God’s love for eternity!” 

The viewing for Father Molano will take place Dec. 17 from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at St. Rose, followed immediately by the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in Doral.  

St. Rose of Lima is located at 415 N.E. 105 St., Miami Shores.

Comments from readers

Fran Leto Hodges - 12/18/2014 10:33 PM
We loved you dearly Father Molano !! You were a part of our family since the day we met you at St. Rose of Lima in 1971. We loved spending every holiday with you and will always remember your laughter and the joy you brought to all of us for the years that we lived in Florida. Since 1971, your cards, letters and pictures that you sent us each and every Christmas will be treasured forever. Your framed pictured sits on the dressor of my Mom, Rose Leto. My Dad passed away three years ago....he loved you dearly as did my Mom and all of the Leto family. You will remain in our hearts forever !!! Love, The Leto family
D.Ann Saladino - 12/17/2014 05:20 PM
Lovely article about a dear sweet and holy priest. The only thing missing in . article is his regular enthusiastic greeting and or parting words: "God Bless America"
Sissy Carter - 12/16/2014 08:31 PM
god bless Father Molano!! He was such a great priest!! He was loved by my family.. The Romaniks's. My Mom always said how good he was !

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