Monsignor Virginio Domingo Bressanelli was born on May 1, 1942 and was 84 years old. He took his first vows on September 29, 1961, was ordained priest on December 17, 1966 and ordained bishop on May 13, 2005.

He was currently living in Resistencia (Argentine). He belonged to the Province ARG.

Venite ad me, omnes qui laboratis, et onerati estis: et ego reficiam vos. (Mt 11,28)

Dear Confreres,

In faith in the risen Christ and in the hope of eternal life, we announce with profound sorrow the death of Bishop Virginio Domingo Bressanelli, SCJ, Bishop Emeritus of Neuquén, Argentina, and the 8th Superior General of our Congregation, a position he held from 1991 to 2003.

Born on May 1, 1942, in Berabevú, in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, he made his first religious profession on September 29, 1961, and was ordained a priest on December 17, 1966, in Rome. He received episcopal ordination on May 13, 2005, and assumed the pastoral care of the Diocese of Comodoro Rivadavia. In 2011, he became Bishop of Neuquén, a diocese he led until August 3, 2017, when Pope Francis accepted his resignation from pastoral governance upon reaching the canonical retirement age.

Bishop Virginio had been hospitalized for several weeks in the city of Resistencia, Argentina, following a stroke.

Further information regarding his death and funeral celebrations will be communicated in due course.

At this time of sorrow and hope, we unite in prayer for his eternal rest and in thanksgiving to the Lord for the gift of his life, his vocation, and his generous service to the Congregation and the Church.

In Corde Iesu speravit!