Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro: 1947 – 2017

15 April 2017

It is with great sadness that we have received news of the death of Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro-Carambula. Monsignor died at 2:00am on the morning of Holy Thursday, after many years of courageous struggle against cancer. He had long fought on the front line of the battle for the protection of human life and the family, serving for many years as Director of the Rome office of Human Life International. Monsignor Barreiro was a close friend and strong supporter of the work of Voice of the Family, and we are deeply grateful for the wisdom he shared with us so freely and, most of all, for the unfailing support of his prayers.

John Smeaton, Chief Executive of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, and co-founder of Voice of the Family, has shared the following reflection:

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Monsignor Barreiro – one of the greatest servants of the Catholic Church and of the pro-life movement I have been privileged to know, as well as a wonderful personal friend.

“In his role as director of the Rome office of Human Life International, amidst countless other responsibilities as a priest and pro-life leader, he was an adviser and friend to the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children of the highest quality. His vast experience, his erudition, his unfailing charity, self-deprecating good humour, were always present in all his communications on both a professional and personal level. Above all, his priestly pastoral charity was always at the service of others – demonstrated by the deep interest he showed in all the problems and challenges which were brought to his door. In the days before his death SPUC’s International Director had the privilege of spending time with him and of conveying to him our deep gratitude and promise of prayers.

“May Monsignor Barreiro, the great apostle of Christ and the great champion of unborn children and the family, rest in peace!”