TORONTO – About a thousand people have gathered at a downtown cathedral to remember Toronto’s ninth Catholic archbishop.
Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic died Friday after a lengthy illness at age 81.
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion are among the dignitaries attending his funeral at St. Michael’s Cathedral.
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A message sent to Archbishop Thomas Collins from Pope Benedict was read at the service. The Pope says he was deeply saddened to hear of Ambrozic’s death and offered his “heartfelt condolences.”
Ambrozic served as archbishop of Toronto from 1990 to 2006. He was a priest for 56 years and a bishop for 35.
In January 1998, former pope John Paul nominated him as Cardinal, which allowed him to take part in the conclave of 2005 that elected Pope Benedict.
Ambrozic served on a number of Vatican committees related to immigration, culture, worship and the economy.
He also hosted World Youth Day in 2002, the largest gathering of Catholic youth in Canadian history.
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