Havana, Cuba, Feb 23, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Yesterday thousands of people attended the funeral rites for Auxiliary Bishop Salvador Riverón of Havana, who died Sunday at 55 years of age from advanced cancer.
Bishop Riverón was hospitalized a week ago due to his critical health, according to the Cuban Bishops.
Visitation took place in the Cathedral of Havana, where later Cardinal Jaime Ortega celebrated the Mass of Requiem.
Bishop Riverón was born in Camaguey on July 7, 1948, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1982.
He was named Auxiliary Bishop of Havana on April 24, 1999, by Pope John Paul II.