Press Release

Retired Auxiliary Bishop Agustin Roman dies at 83

First Cuban to be appointed bishop in the U.S.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Communications Department - Archdiocese of Miami

The Archdiocese of Miami announces the death of retired Auxiliary Bishop Agustín Román, who died in Miami on Wednesday, April 11, at the age of 83.

Bishop Román suffered a cardiac arrest at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity. The bishop was transported to Mercy Hospital and, following extensive attempts at resuscitation, was pronounced dead shortly before 8:45 p.m.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski stated, "The Archdiocese of Miami has lost a great evangelizer who tirelessly preached the Gospel to all. And the Cuban nation has lost a great patriot. Bishop Roman was the Felix Varela of our time."

Appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami in 1979, Bishop Román was the first Cuban to be appointed bishop in the U.S. He left Cuba in 1961 after being expelled by Fidel Castro's regime. Bishop Román came to Miami in 1966, where he founded the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, Cuba's patroness. He oversaw its construction and remained active there even after retiring as its rector and as Miami auxiliary bishop, and up to the last days of his life.

An extensive biography of Bishop Román is available in English and Spanish - as well as a video. For up to the minute information, please visit www.miamiarch.org.