Monseñor Silvano Herminio Pedroso Montalvo, who was a trailblazer as the first Afro-Cuban bishop in the history of the Catholic Church in Cuba, passed away early Saturday morning in Havana at the age of 73. His death was attributed to cancer, as confirmed by the Cuban Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The illness was discovered in February during his visit to Rome, where he had a private audience with Pope Leo XIV as part of the Cuban bishops' ad limina visit. This visit was postponed for other bishops due to Cuba's severe fuel crisis.
After meeting the Pope, Father Silvano fell ill, and subsequent medical examinations at the Gemelli Hospital and the infirmary of the Society of Jesus in Rome confirmed his cancer diagnosis.
He returned to Havana on June 3, where he was initially cared for by the Compassionate Sisters. Later, he was moved to the infirmary of the Daughters of Charity, next to the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, where he passed away.
On June 11, the Episcopal Conference announced that his health was "extremely delicate" and called for prayers on his behalf.
Legacy of Service and Humility
Monseñor Arturo González Amador, president of the Episcopal Conference, described him as a "mature man with calm and objective opinions, well-educated, with proper manners; though reserved and sometimes a bit withdrawn, he was a man of good humor, able to share laughter with friends."
In a farewell message, the Diocese of Santa Clara highlighted his role as a bishop of a largely rural and young diocese in eastern Cuba, characterized by few churches and dispersed communities, far from his friends and family. They noted his quiet yet dedicated service, both as a priest and later as a bishop.
A Life Devoted to Faith
Born on April 25, 1953, in Cárdenas, Matanzas, Pedroso Montalvo was raised in a household of diverse faiths: his father, Silvano, was a Catholic doctor, while his mother, Catalina, was Baptist.
Before choosing the priesthood, he earned a degree in Geography from the University of Havana and worked in that field at the Institute of Physical Planning in Las Tunas from 1979 to 1982.
At the age of 34, in 1987, he entered the San Carlos and San Ambrosio Major Theological Seminary in Havana. He was ordained as a deacon on January 9, 1995, and became a priest on June 12 of the same year, ordained by Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino at Havana Cathedral.
Throughout his priestly ministry, he served as a parish priest in Quivicán, Bejucal, Melena del Sur, and Güines, led diocesan pastoral vocations, and headed the San Juan María Vianney Priestly House.
On March 29, 2018, Pope Francis announced his appointment as Bishop of Guantánamo-Baracoa, marking him as the first Afro-Cuban bishop.
His episcopal ordination occurred on May 27, 2018, at the Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Habana, again with Cardinal Ortega officiating. On June 9, that year, he assumed leadership of his diocese at the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Ricci in Guantánamo.
He was the third bishop of this diocese, established by Pope John Paul II during his historic visit to Cuba in 1998. His episcopal motto, "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34), encapsulated his calling.
His funeral services will be held this Saturday at 3:00 pm at the Santa Catalina de Siena parish, located at 25 and Paseo in Havana's Vedado neighborhood, followed by interment at the Colón Cemetery.
FAQs About Monseñor Silvano Pedroso Montalvo
Who was Monseñor Silvano Pedroso Montalvo?
Monseñor Silvano Pedroso Montalvo was the first Afro-Cuban bishop in the history of the Catholic Church in Cuba, serving as the bishop of the Diocese of Guantánamo-Baracoa.
When did Monseñor Silvano Pedroso Montalvo pass away?
He passed away early Saturday morning at the age of 73, in Havana, due to cancer.
What was Monseñor Pedroso Montalvo's educational background?
Before entering the priesthood, he earned a degree in Geography from the University of Havana and worked in the Institute of Physical Planning in Las Tunas.