Brazilian Archbishop Almeida, known for progressive ideas, dies at 75

Published: 2006-08-29

SAO PAULO, Brazil (CNS) -- Brazilian Archbishop Luciano Mendes de Almeida of Mariana, known for his progressive ideas and his work with children, died Aug. 27 of liver cancer at the age of 75. Archbishop Almeida's funeral was to be held Aug. 30 in Mariana. His body was transported Aug. 28 to Ouro Preto and Tiradentes in Minas Gerais state to allow people to view the body and pray for him. Archbishop Almeida, known throughout Brazil as "Dom Luciano," served two terms as president of the Brazilian bishops' conference and also served as the conference's secretary-general. While serving as auxiliary bishop of Sao Paulo from 1976 to 1988, he created a department to deal with children, particularly those living on the street. He also promoted several social programs to help the elderly and people addicted to drugs. As president of the conference, Archbishop Almeida made sure the church's stance was known in Congress.

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