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11/06/2008 - Bilbao, Biscay

Today Thursday, the 6th of November, 2008 the auxiliary emeritus bishop Mons. Carmelo Echenagusia, Karmelo Etxenagusia died in Bilbao. He had retired last February 5. Bishop Etxenagusia was born in Iurreta (Biscay) on April 24, 1932.

Licensed in Canonical Law, he was a diocesan priest of Bilbao from June 1, 1953. He was teaching at the Seminar of Bilbao and worked as chancellor and vicarious general of the Diocese. From 1990 to 1995 he was a parson of Begoña's Santa Maria. He was ordered bishop on November 9, 1995, and worked as auxiliary bishop of Bilbao with Mons. Ricardo Blázquez for twelve years and a half until his retirement last February. Mons. Mario Iceta took his place as auxiliary bishop. He was a corresponding member and honorary member of the Academy of the Basque Language, Euskaltzaindia.

He made several trips to North America invited by the Basque chaplain aita Martxel Tillous, to visit the Basque communities of the Western United States. After the first trip in 1998, and after discovering a reality of Basque parishioners that he was not aware of, he attended in 2000 Boise's jaialdi, to visit and to take first hand testimonies of Basque communities from Salt Lake (Utah) up to those of the Californian south (Chino Bakersfield), Boise, Winnemucca, Elko, Reno, San Francisco... where he left an excellent impression and numerous friendship. Goian Bego, aita Karmelo.

[In the photography, aita Mikel Urresti, Marie Elu, aita Karmelo Etxenagusia, Louis Elu and Pierro Etcharren at the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center Handball Court (photo EuskalKultura.com)]