Cardinal Camillo Ruini presided on Friday, the 5th, over the opening session of the tribunal of the Vicariate of Rome that will intervene in the cause of canonization of Bishop Alvaro del Portillo (Madrid, 1914-Rome, 1994), prelate of Opus Dei and Chancellor the University of Navarre (1975-1994) after the death of St. Josemaría Escrivá.

At the ceremony, held in the conference room of the Conciliation of the Lateran Palace, the Cardinal recalled: "The frequent occasions I had to meet Bishop Del Portillo impressed in my soul the persuasion that I was in the presence of an exemplary pastor. And he added: "In the firmness of his adherence to the doctrine of the Church, in his union with the Pope, in his pastoral charity, in his humility, in his balance, an extraordinary interior richness was manifested".

The Cardinal traced a biographical profile of "Don Alvaro," as he is called by people all over the world who have recourse to his intercession. "The deep pastoral experience he gained at the side of St. Josemaría, his proven human qualities and his theological and juridical skill made him suitable for many tasks Pass

The Pope's vicar underlined "the prolonged and multifaceted activity he carried out in the service of the Apostolic See" as consultant various congregations, secretary of the Second Vatican Council commission that drew up the decree "Presbyterorum Ordinis", consultant other conciliar commissions and synodal father.

According to Cardinal Ruini, "the service that Don Alvaro always rendered, with his works, to the Church of Rome and the promptness and operability with which he supported the pastoral initiatives of the Holy Father in favor of his diocese were part of that love for the Church that he had learned from St. Josemaría".

"Relevant also appears to us his commitment to the promotion of unity between culture and faith" and his contributions to the theology of the laity and the priesthood, visible in some writings such as "The Faithful and the Laity in the Church" and "Writings on the Priesthood".

The Pope's vicar then spoke of the thousands of spiritual and material favors, including singular cures, attributed to the intercession of the former Chancellor the University of Navarre that demonstrate the "spread of private devotion to the Servant of God".

The Cardinal's speech was followed by the formal request for the opening of the diocesan research by the Postulator of the Cause, Bishop Flavio Capucci. Cardinal Ruini then confirmed the appointment of the tribunal, followed by the swearing in of its members and the postulator.

About 400 people filled the conference room: "The number of people gathered in this first session," concluded the cardinal, "is a sign of the affection that surrounds our beloved and longed-for Alvaro del Portillo.