February 03

Scipione Rebiba was born in 1504 in the Kingdom of Naples and became a cardinal in 1555 under Pope Paul IV. He served as the Bishop of Pisa and later as the Bishop of Troia, exerting influence over ecclesiastical appointments. Rebiba is best remembered for his role in the apostolic succession lineage, as many modern bishops trace their episcopal lineage back to him. He participated in the Council of Trent and was involved in implementing its reforms within his dioceses. He died in 1577, leaving a lasting legacy in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.

Ram Singh Kuka (1816–1885) was the spiritual head of the Namdhari Sikh community, advocating non-violent resistance to British rule. He proclaimed a return to the purity of Sikh teachings and encouraged followers to boycott colonial laws and taxes. Under his leadership, the Kuka movement promoted agricultural self-reliance and communal equality. Despite facing harsh reprisals, Ram Singh’s emphasis on peaceful protest foreshadowed later Indian independence campaigns. His legacy endures in Sikh history as an early pioneer of civil disobedience.

Shlomo Goren was born in Poland in 1917 and immigrated to Palestine before World War II. He was ordained as a rabbi and served as the first Chief Rabbi of the Israel Defense Forces, helping to establish military religious services. Goren played a notable role during the Six-Day War in 1967, famously blowing the shofar at the liberated Western Wall. He later served as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem from 1972 to 1983. Goren authored works on Jewish law and ritual, influencing modern religious practice in Israel. His efforts bridged traditional rabbinic scholarship and the needs of a modern army. He passed away in 1994, leaving a legacy of religious service and national leadership.

Born in Liquiçá, Portuguese Timor, in 1948, Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo was ordained a bishop in Lisbon and returned to East Timor as its spiritual leader. Amidst Indonesian occupation, he became a vocal advocate for human rights and peaceful resolution. In 1996, he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with José Ramos-Horta for their courageous efforts toward a just and peaceful solution to the conflict. Bishop Belo used his international platform to highlight atrocities and mobilize global support for his people. After East Timor's independence, he served as apostolic administrator and continued humanitarian work, leaving a legacy of faith-driven activism.