On Monday, December 7, 2015, His Excellency Rrok Mirdita, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tirana and Durres of the Catholic Church of Albania, passed away at the age of 76. He was appointed to this office on December 25, 1992 and was ordained on 25 April 1993, during the period of restoration of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Albania after the atheist persecution.
During his service he stood out for building interfaith dialogue and relations as well as for the initiatives taken in this regard. Monsignor Rrok Mirdita has had numerous fraternal contacts with our Church, especially a distinguished 20-year friendship with Archbishop Anastasios, who was deeply touched by this loss.
During the tribute, held at the Catholic Cathedral of St. Paul in Tirana on Wednesday, December 9th, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios, accompanied by His Grace Bishop Anthony, paid his respects in honor to Monsignor Rrok Mirdita and expressed heartfelt and sincere condolences to the Catholic Church’s representatives as well as to his family.
On Thursday, December 10, Archbishop Anastasios, accompanied by His Grace, Bishop Anthony, along with representatives of other religious communities and dignitaries of the country, participated in the Mass and funeral service of Monsignor Rrok Mirdita.
