June 08

Born in 1508 near Ljubljana, Trubar became a leader of the Protestant Reformation in Slovenia. He published the ‘Catechismus’ and ‘Abecedarium’ in Slovene, establishing a written literary language. He translated key religious texts and founded the first Slovene printing press in 1550. His writings promoted education and national consciousness among Slovene speakers. After facing exile for his beliefs, he continued writing and died in 1586, leaving a lasting cultural legacy.

Born in 1757 in Rome, Consalvi was educated in law and theology before entering the Roman Curia. He served as nuncio to Switzerland and later became Papal Secretary of State under Pope Pius VII. He negotiated the Concordat of 1801 with Napoleon, restoring the Church’s position in France. At the Congress of Vienna in 1814, he secured the restoration of the Papal States. He enacted administrative reforms in the Vatican until his death in 1824, shaping modern Church governance.

Evan Roberts (1878–1951) was a Welsh Revivalist minister and a central figure in the 1904–1905 Welsh Revival. Beginning as a coal miner, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening that spurred a nationwide religious movement. Roberts traveled across Wales preaching, organizing prayer meetings, and stirring widespread enthusiasm. Under his leadership, thousands reported conversions, and church attendance soared. Though he withdrew from public ministry after the revival's peak, his energy and devotion inspired future evangelical movements. His legacy endures in Welsh religious history as a symbol of charismatic faith and spiritual renewal.

Gustavo Gutiérrez was born in 1928 in Lima, Peru and ordained as a Dominican priest in 1959. He authored the landmark book 'A Theology of Liberation' in 1971, which emphasized the Christian call to address social injustice and poverty. Gutiérrez's work laid the foundation for the liberation theology movement across Latin America and beyond. He served as a professor of theology at the Catholic University of Peru and lectured at universities worldwide. Throughout his life, he advocated for the rights of the poor and influenced both religious and academic circles. Gutiérrez continued to write and teach until his death in 2024.

Angelo Amato was born on June 8, 1938, in Italy. He was ordained a priest in 1961 and pursued advanced studies in theology and canon law. A member of the Salesian Order, he taught and served as rector at the Salesian Pontifical University. In 2008, he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, overseeing the examination of candidates for sainthood. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. Cardinal Amato is respected for his deep theological scholarship, administrative leadership, and pastoral sensitivity. After retiring from his prefect role in 2018, he continued to write and advise on matters of Church doctrine. His work has shaped many of the modern canonization processes within the Catholic Church.

George Pell was an Australian Catholic cardinal and senior Vatican official. He served as the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy from 2014 to 2019, managing the Church's finances. Previously, he was the Archbishop of Melbourne and later the Archbishop of Sydney. Pell was the first Australian to be appointed a cardinal and was considered a potential candidate for pope. His tenure included both administrative achievements and controversies. Cardinal Pell passed away in 2023, leaving a complex legacy in the global Catholic Church.

Marc Ouellet is a Canadian cardinal who served as Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops from 2010 to 2023. He was previously the Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada. Ouellet was considered a strong candidate in the papal conclave of 2013. He played a key role in appointments and governance within the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal Ouellet is noted for his theological scholarship and leadership in the Canadian church. He continues to influence global Catholic affairs through his curial responsibilities.

Born in 1954 as Krikor Kostadinov Minkov, he took the ecclesiastical name Kiril when ordained bishop. He served as Metropolitan of Varna and Veliki Preslav, overseeing church affairs, restoring historical cathedrals, and promoting interfaith dialogue. Known for his scholarly approach, he authored theological works and led charitable initiatives across Bulgaria. Metropolitan Kiril's leadership strengthened the Orthodox community during the post-communist era. He passed away in 2013, leaving a legacy of church-state renewal and religious revival.