In the early morning of July 11, 2023, Bishop Jorge Bernal Vargas, LC, bishop emeritus of Diocese of Cancun-Chetumal, at the age of 94.
Alberto Simán, LC, territorial director of Mexico and Central America, sent a message to the Legionaries of the territory: “Dear Fathers, it is with great sorrow that I inform you that our beloved Bishop Jorge Bernal passed away early this morning.
Bernal lived the mission with all his heart, dedicating his life to the establishment of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the extension of the Gospel in Quintana Roo with strength, joy, courage and greatness of soul.
He invited all Legionaries and members of Regnum Christi to pray for his eternal rest.
The following is available book of condolences digital for those who wish to express their thoughts for Bishop Bernal.
Bishop Jorge Bernal Vargas, LC (1929 - 2023)
First bishop of the Diocese of Cancún-Chetumal
Jorge Bernal Vargas, LC, Bishop Prelate Emeritus of the Diocese of Cancun-Chetumal. He was born on February 28, 1929 in Tepeyahualco, municipality of Tlaxco, Tlaxcala. In 1941 he met in Apizaco, Tlaxcala the congregation of the Legionaries of Christ.
He entered the Apostolic School of Tlalpan, Mexico and after doing his novitiate in Mexico and Spain in 1946 and 1947, he studied humanities at the University of Comillas, Santander, Spain, from 1948 to 1950. From 1950 to 1958 he completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained a priest on September 15, 1957 in Lourdes, France.
Jorge Bernal was the first Legionary to reach the priesthood after having gone through all the stages of formation, since it took him 16 years from the time he entered the vocation center until his ordination.
He exercised his ministry as Assistant to humanists and Perfecto of theologians for a trimester. Later he was appointed Rector of the Vocational Center of the Legionaries of Christ in Tlalpan. On July 16, 1970, Paul VI appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the then Prelature of Chetumal.
On December 7, 1973, His Holiness Paul VI named him Titular Bishop of Velefi and Prelate of Chetumal. His Excellency Archbishop Pio Gaspari, Apostolic Delegate of His Holiness, consecrated him bishop on March 19, 1974 in Chetumal, Quintana Roo.
On June 28, 1975, Msgr. Bernal was appointed by the Holy See Consultant ad quinquiennium of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, its purpose was to study the fundamental problems of Catholic life in Latin America, collaborating closely with the various episcopal conferences of each country.
From the moment he was consecrated Bishop of the Prelature of Quintana Roo, Monsignor Jorge Bernal Vargas, LC, stood out for being a man of faith, humble and with love he knew how to win over the community with which he worked, united with his brothers in the evangelization of these mission lands to open the way and sow the love of God and the Virgin Mary.
In 2019, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the birth of Monsignor Jorge Bernal, LC, a thanksgiving mass was held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Chetumal. Hundreds of people, diocesan priests and religious who have witnessed the love for the mission and simplicity of Monsignor Bernal attended. Pedro Pablo, current bishop of the Diocese of Cancun-Chetumal, shared anecdotes of how Bishop Bernal, if necessary, cleaned the church himself before the celebrations.
In 2020, within the jubilee framework of the 50th anniversary of the mission present in the Prelature of Cancun-Chetumal, on November 21, 2020, it was elevated to the dignity of Diocese.
During all these years, Bishop Bernal worked constantly to carry out the evangelization of the territory entrusted to him, announcing the Gospel to those who did not yet know it, administering the sacraments, forming catechists, founding and building churches, oratories, schools, dispensaries and centers for the needy.
Rest in peace!
