College of Cardinals

Biographical notes

[Updated: 04.06.2012]

Notice: the biographical notes are only a working instrument for the press, for the exclusive use of accredited journalists.

Cardinal Rodolfo Quezada Toruño, Archbishop emeritus of Guatemala, was born on 8 March 1932 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He was ordained a priest on 21 September 1956 and holds a doctorate in canon law.

He has served as parochial vicar of El Sagrario, rector of Beatas di Belén, university chaplain as well as vice-chancellor of the Archdiocese of Guatemala. He was the first rector of the National Major Seminary of the Assumption in Guatemala.

He was appointed as titular Bishop of Gadiaufala and Auxiliary of Zacapa on 5 April 1972 and consecrated on 13 May. 

On 11 September 1975, he was appointed as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Zacapa and on 16 February 1980 he became Bishop..

On 24 June 1986 he was appointed as prelate of Santo Cristo de Esquípulas. 

As a member of the Bishops’ Conference of Guatemala, he served as President of various commissions, such as of the Lay Apostolate, Education and the Clergy, and was also Secretary General. From 1987 until 1993, he was President of the National Commission of Reconciliation. He was also President of the Bishops’ Conference of Guatemala from 1988 to 1992 and then from 2002 to January 2006.

Cardinal Quezada Toruño has been Archbishop of Guatemala since 19 June 2001.

 Archbishop emeritus of Guatemala, 2 October 2010.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 October 2003, of the Title of S. Saturnino (St. Saturnus).

Cardinal Rodolfo Quezada Toruño died on 4 June 2012.

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