Bishop Guido Brena Lopez, Bishop Emeritus of Ica, Peru passed away on the 9th of July, 2013 at Miami, USA. He is fondly remembered as the Bishop of the people due to his exceptional works among the poor and needy. This was evident during the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Pisco, Ica and Chincha in 2007.
Bishop Guido Brena who is the oldest of 5 children was born on July 9, 1931 at Puquio-Lucanas-Ayacucho. At a very young age, he felt the calling to the religious life and at the age of 16 he responded to that calling by entering the Dominican Novitiate in 1948. After his religious and priestly formation, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1954. He was appointed the Bishop of Ica by Pope Paul VI and installed in 1973.
For over 30 years, he has been a true shepherd of the faithful of Ica and he left an indelible mark, spiritually and physically in the life of the people and on the landscape of Ica. This has earned him the admiration of the faithful, the Catholic Church and the government of Peru. This admiration is expressed in the many awards he received in his lifetime.
Without any premonition, his Dominican brothers in Lima and his family and friends anticipated his last birthday and had a celebration for him at the Convent of the Holy Rosary of Lima. That same evening, he traveled to Miami in the United State where he died.
His remains will be brought back to Lima where he will be laid to rest by his Dominican brothers of the Province of St John the Baptist, Peru.
May his gentle soul rest in peace. Amen
Bonaventure Agbali, OP
(23 July 2013)
