Armand Razafindratandra

Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra (7 August 1925 – 9 January 2010) was a Cardinal Priest of the Roman Catholic Church and Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Antananarivo, Madagascar.

His Eminence

Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra
Archbishop emeritus of Antananarivo
SeeRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Antananarivo
Appointed27 April 1978
Term ended7 December 2005
PredecessorVictor Razafimahatratra
SuccessorOdon Marie Arsène Razanakolona
Orders
Ordination27 July 1954
Consecration2 July 1978
by Victor Razafimahatratra
Personal details
Born(1925 -08-07)7 August 1925
Ambohimalaza, Madagascar
Died9 January 2010(2010-01-09) (aged 84)
Majunga, Madagascar
BuriedMahajanga Cathedral, Majunga
NationalityMalagasy
DenominationRoman Catholic
Alma materSt. Michael's College
MottoUt omnes unum sint
Coat of arms of Cardinal Razafindratandra, bearing the motto Ut omnes unum sint ("That all may be one"). From the basilica of San Martino ai Monti, Rome.

Life

Born in Ambohimalaza, near Antananarivo, where his grandfather had been governor, Razafindratandra was educated at the parish school of Faravohitra. He went on to study at the minor seminary of Ambohipo and then at St. Michael's College, a Jesuit institution, before studying philosophy and theology at Ambatoroka.

Razafindratandra was ordained as a priest in 1954, after which he studied at the Catholic Institute in Paris for two years. Returning to Madagascar in 1956, he directed catechetical teaching and spiritual programs for public and private schools, working extensively with youth summer camp programs for children from needy families. He also rose to become Rector of the minor seminary at Faliarivo and the Director of the major seminary at Ambatoroka.

Appointed Bishop of the Roman Catholic of Mahajanga in 1978 and named Archbishop of the Antananarivo Archdiocese in 1994, Razafindratandra was created Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in the consistory of 26 November 1994, and became the Cardinal Priest of the Titulus Ss. Silvestri et Martini in Montibus.

From 1997 to 2002, he was president of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar. Razafindratandra was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI.

Armand Razafindratandra died on 9 January 2010.[1]

References
  1. Malagasy Catholics receive papal condolences for cardinal's death, Catholic News Agency, 12 January 2010
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