Celebrations to mark the 5th anniversary of the death of the Apostolic Protonotary Monsignor Bernardo Antonini were held in Russia and in Italy in recent days. “Pastor, spiritual father and indefatigable organizer”, Msgr. Antonini laid the “foundations for the future of the Catholic Church in Russia”, says the Archbishop of Moscow Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz in a letter sent to Bishop Flavio Roberto Carraro of Verona, the city where the Italian commemorations were held. Masses in his memory were celebrated in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Verona. It is thought the Italian diocese will soon open the process for Antonini’s beatification. In his letter Archbishop Kondrusiewicz recalls Msgr. Antonini for his fidelity and obedience to the Church, and also for his dedication “to the development of inter-confessional and inter-religious dialogue, especially with the Russian Orthodox Church”. The activities promoted by Antonini in Russia included the creation of the “St. Thomas Aquinas” College of Catholic Theology, the opening of the spiritual seminary “Mary – Queen of the Apostles”, the promotion of Catholic radio programmes and weeklies, the organization of events for the clergy and the preparation of the Jubilee of 2000. “Today we ought to follow his example”, concluded Kondrusiewicz. Catholics in Moscow prayed for his beatification in late March.
