The vice president of the Republic, Raquel Peña, attending this Monday the funeral of Monsignor Agripino Nunez Collado, said that the whole country is very sad for his departure and that with him a great man is lost.
Peña expressed that Monsignor Núñez Collado represented a person who was always accessible in all areas that were needed, always at the service of the best interests of society.
“It really is a great loss, but it was a great legacy that he left behind; we are very sorry for his departure, but with his legacy and example we will continue to build a better country,” said the vice president.
Raquel Peña also stood guard of honor in front of the monsignor’s coffin and attended the funeral mass, which takes place in the multipurpose building of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. In principle it had been reported that the mass would be in the parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation.
The mass was celebrated by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Santiago, Monsignor Freddy Bretón, who, in his homily, expressed his great respect for the deceased, since when he was just 14 years old, Bretón was officiated as an altar boy by Monsignor Agripino Núñez.
He pointed out: “The mysteries of God are unexpected, because several decades later I would be directing the homily on the occasion of his death.”
“I believe that the best tribute we can offer is to mature: that citizens, and especially the political class, reach sufficient stature, the level of civility that allows us to carry out our personal and social processes in a civilized, respectful manner,” he added.
He also added: “I hope that extraordinary mediators are not needed. I want to see the day come when our country always marches in such a way that its actions do not belittle the sacrifice and blood of those who forged our nationality.”
After mass, the vice president Raquel Peña, will lead the rendering of military honors, on the esplanade of the multipurpose, and then the burial will proceed in a sarcophagus of the parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation.