February 07

Hélder Câmara served as Archbishop of Olinda and Recife and later Patriarch of Brazil until 1999. He championed human rights and spoke out against military dictatorship and social inequality. A pioneering figure in liberation theology, he advocated nonviolent resistance on behalf of the oppressed. He was nominated multiple times for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the poor. His pastoral approach emphasized community empowerment and solidarity. He remains a symbol of social activism within the global Catholic Church.

Teoctist Arăpașu led the Romanian Orthodox Church as its Patriarch from 1986 until his death in 2007. He guided the church through Romania’s transition from communist rule to democracy. He played a key role in the restoration of religious freedom and the revival of monastic life. He represented Romanian Orthodoxy at international ecumenical assemblies and dialogues. His tenure oversaw significant cultural and spiritual renewal within the church community.

Gérard Jean-Juste was born in Port-au-Prince in 1946 and ordained as a Catholic priest. He founded organizations to support Haitian refugees and advocated for political reform. Jean-Juste used his pulpit to denounce corruption and human rights abuses under various regimes. His activism led to persecution, imprisonment, and eventual deportation from the United States. He continued to write and speak out on behalf of the Haitian people. Jean-Juste played a key role in mobilizing the Haitian diaspora. He died in 2009, leaving a legacy of moral leadership and social justice advocacy.