MAJORCA MOURNS THE LOSS OF BISHOP UBEDA

THE Bishop of Majorca, Teodoro Ubeda, died at 12.30 on Sunday aged 71 after suffering a heart attack; the Bishop had been ill and suffering respiratory problems for some time. The Balearic government declared three days of mourning from yesterday afternoon and the Mayor of Palma, Joan Fageda, will today declare that Wednesday will be an official day of mourning in the capital. The Bishop's death has caused a great deal of commotion, not only in Majorca but his home town near Valencia and throughout the Catholic world.
Tributes continued to flood in yesterday from the Spanish King and Queen, friends and colleagues of Ubeda who was Bishop of Palma for 31 years, becoming the longest serving Bishop of Majorca. Colleagues, including those from the many other denominations in Majorca with which the Bishop worked hard to develop close relationships and welcome, deeply affected by the “great loss of a humble, honest, hard working and tolerant man,” said that the Bishop “was in no pain,” when he died. Other members of the diocese of Majorca said the church has lost a “father figure.” Born on October 30, 1931 in Onteniente, Valencia, he was appointed acting Bishop of Tumusuda by Pablo VI and assistant to the Bishop of Ibiza in September 1970. From 1972, Teodoro Ubeda would combine his roles in Ibiza with that of administrator for the Diocese of Majorca, until in 1973 he was appointed Bishop of Majorca. During his career in Majorca which spanned three decades Ubeda was hailed for his hard and dedicated work for society, extensive charity work at homes and with missionaries overseas, especially in South America. Primarily however, in many of the tributes from friends and colleagues, the Bishop is praised for his “tolerance, accessibility and open-mindedness.” The Balearic government issued a statement, paying tribute to the Bishop's 30 years of hard work “defending important values such as freedom and peace.” President Antich said that Ubeda “is an example to everyone who wants equal opportunities in our community.” He was presented with the Gold Medal of Palma in 1998 and the Balearic Gold Medal only last year and, among other distinguished awards, in 1984, The Cross of the Polar Star by the King of Sweden. Jaume Matas also praised the Bishop for the important work he did for Majorca society and his “open and fair” approach to life.
The Bishop will be buried in a private ceremony in the Sant Pere chapel in the Cathedral tomorrow.
Yesterday evening, thousands of people passed through the Bishop's Palace, where the Bishop will lie in state until this evening, to pay their last respects.