Blessed Enrico Angelo Angelelli Carletti

Biography

Blessed Enrico Angelo Angelelli Carletti, also known as Blessed Enrique Angelelli, was born on 18 July 1923 in Córdoba, Argentina, to Italian immigrants. At a young age, he showed a strong devotion to his Catholic faith and entered the seminary of Our Lady of Loreto when he was 15 years old.

After completing his studies in Rome, Italy, Enrico Angelelli was ordained a priest on 9 October 1949. He began his ministry in the diocese of Córdoba, serving as a parish priest. Known for his compassion and dedication to the poor, he founded youth groups and ministered to those living in impoverished neighborhoods.

On 12 December 1960, Pope John XXIII appointed Angelelli as the Auxiliary Bishop of Córdoba and the Titular Bishop of Lystra. As a bishop, he became actively involved in the renewal of faith and parish life. He also supported the rights of workers and became a vocal advocate for labor unions, which led to conflicts with the ruling authorities in Argentina.

Enrico Angelelli participated in the first, third, and fourth sessions of the Second Vatican Council in 1962, 1964, and 1965. During this time, he contributed to discussions on a wide range of topics, including the role of the Church in the modern world.

In 1965, due to ongoing conflict with civil authorities, Angelelli was relieved of certain duties and was sent to serve as a chaplain to a convent of Adoratrices at the Colegio Villa Eucharistica in order to ensure his safety.

Three years later, on 3 July 1968, Pope Paul VI appointed Angelelli as the Bishop of La Rioja, Argentina. In this position, he continued to advocate for the rights of the working class and encouraged them to form cooperatives and improve their living conditions.

However, his outspoken support for the working class and criticism of the ruling class led to dangerous opposition. On 13 June 1973, during a church service, a mob attacked Bishop Angelelli and the congregation, forcing him to abandon the church and flee for his life. In response, he declared an interdict against the leaders and their supporters.

While he received the support of his fellow priests, Angelelli did not receive unanimous support from his national conference of bishops, and the papal nuncio openly sided with those under interdict. Aware that he was being targeted for assassination for his political activism and opposition to the government, he took precautions but tragically, his efforts were in vain.

On 4 August 1976, while driving a truck with Father Arturo Pinto, Angelelli's vehicle was intentionally wrecked by other vehicles. Both were then beaten to death on the road. Initially, his death was reported as a traffic accident, but it wasn't until 19 June 1986, when a more democratic government was in power, that the investigation confirmed it as a murder.

Angelelli's murder took place during the Argentine Dirty War, a period of state terrorism and human rights abuses. It was a time of political instability and violence in Argentina, and many individuals were targeted for their opposition to the government. It took decades of investigation and court battles before finally, on 5 July 2014, those responsible for his murder were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Recognizing the martyrdom of Enrico Angelelli, Pope Francis declared him venerable on 8 June 2018. On 27 April 2019, Pope Francis beatified him, recognizing his heroic virtue and dedication to the Gospel. The beatification ceremony was celebrated in La Rioja, Argentina, and presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu.

Blessed Enrico Angelo Angelelli Carletti continues to be revered as a martyred bishop who courageously stood up for the rights and dignity of the working class, ultimately paying with his own life. His feast day is celebrated on 4 August to honor his memory and witness to the Gospel.