CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Victor M. Rodriguez, a synod
president of the former Lutheran Church in America (LCA) and
retired pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA), died June 18 from injuries sustained in a car accident in
Ocala, Fla. He was 81.
A memorial service for Rodriguez was held June 20 at his
home congregation, Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Ocala, Fla.
Another memorial service will be held July 15 at Iglesia Luterana
La Santisima Trinidad (Holy Trinity Lutheran Church), Lomas
Verdes, Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Born in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, Rodriguez received a bachelor
of arts degree in English from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio
Piedras, in 1952, and a master of divinity degree from Mount Airy
Seminary, Philadelphia, in 1955. The seminary became the
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia -- one of eight
seminaries of the ELCA. As a seminarian, Rodriguez started the
first Lutheran Latino ministry in Camden, N.J. In 1969 Rodriguez
was awarded an honorary degree from Wagner College, Staten
Island, N.Y. Wagner is one of 28 colleges and universities of
the ELCA.
Ordained in 1955 in the former United Lutheran Church in
America (ULCA), Rodriguez was pastor of Iglesia Luterana Nuestro
Salvador (Our Savior Lutheran Church), Guaynabo, Puerto Rico,
from 1955 to 1957. He was pastor of Iglesia Luterana Santisima
Trinidad from 1957 to 1964. There Rodriguez helped start the
first Lutheran school -- pre-kindergarten to grade 12 -- in the
Caribbean Synod.
In 1964 Rodriguez became president of the ULCA's Caribbean
Synod. During his tenure the ULCA became the LCA, and Rodriguez
continued his role as president until 1976. The LCA merged with
two other Lutheran churches in 1987 to form the ELCA in 1988.
After serving 12 years as synod president, Rodriguez became
a mission developer and started two congregations -- Iglesia
Luterana Cristo Rey (Christ the King Lutheran Church), Carolina,
Puerto Rico, and Iglesia Luterana Christo Victorioso (Christus
Victor Lutheran Church), Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Rodriguez
retired in 1991 and moved to Ocala, Fla.
"His life and ministry were a witness of God's work in the
world. Our family affirms his ministry and sees him as our
mentor. My uncle has a brother, some nieces and nephews who
serve at the ELCA churchwide office, seminaries and
congregations," said Carmen Rodriquez-Rivera, director of Latino
ministries, ELCA Multicultural Ministries, and a niece of Victor
Rodriguez. "We continue to live in the hope that he is now
living in the Church Triumphant," she said.
"For us it has been a sincere loss. He is deeply cared for
among members of the ELCA Caribbean Synod, and we ask God to
console his family," said the Rev. Francisco L. Sosa, interim
bishop, ELCA Caribbean Synod.
Rodriguez is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sara, and
their two adult children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
