The health of Monsignor Mario Eusebio Mestril Vega, emeritus bishop of Ciego de Ávila, has rapidly deteriorated over the past two days, prompting an increase in his medical care, the diocese of Ciego de Ávila reported this Friday.
The Diocese of Ciego de Ávila reported on Facebook that the religious figure's situation requires being "very attentive to the course of events," although the statement did not specify what health issue he is facing nor did it provide a specific diagnosis.
"For the past two days, the health of Mons. Mario Mestril, Emeritus Bishop of our Diocese of Ciego de Ávila, has been rapidly deteriorating, making it necessary to intensify his care," the institution noted.
In light of the situation, the diocese asked priests, deacons, religious men, religious women, and the faithful to keep the prelate in their prayers "so that the Lord may sustain and strengthen him."
The institution assured that it will continue to provide timely updates on its progress and specially recalled Psalm 23, chosen by Mestril for his episcopal ordination: «The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want».
The statement is signed by Rev. Randol Pineda Muñoz, chancellor and diocesan spokesperson, and dated this September 25th.
Mestril has a central place in the history of the Catholic Church in Ciego de Ávila. He was the first bishop of the Diocese of Ciego de Ávila, established by Pope John Paul II on February 2, 1996, and he took possession of the new see on April 28 of that same year.
He was ordained as a bishop on February 9, 1992 and remained in charge of the Avilan diocese until 2017, when he became bishop emeritus.
The concern for Mestril's health comes after several recent episodes that have impacted figures within the Cuban Catholic Church.
At the end of August, Monsignor Juan Francisco Vega Rodríguez, known as Father Vega, passed away in Cienfuegos at the age of 92.
His last months had been marked by physical deterioration after suffering a fall that resulted in an intracapsular fracture of the right hip.
In July, the Cuban Church also mourned the death of Monsignor Enrique Aurelio García Rodríguez, a priest of the Diocese of Santa Clara closely linked to Sancti Spíritus, who passed away at the age of 91 due to a cardiorespiratory arrest.
Another case that raised concern was that of Monsignor Silvano Pedroso Montalvo, Bishop of Guantánamo-Baracoa, whose condition was declared "very serious" in June after medical examinations conducted in Rome identified an oncological illness. The prelate passed away shortly thereafter.
Related videos:
Filed under: