Cardinal Estanislao Karlić, the longest serving bishop in Argentina, dies

Cardinal Estanislao Karlić (Phoro: Wikipedia Public Domanin)

BUENOS AIRES, 9. August 2025 –  (Hina) Cardinal Estanislao Esteban Karlić, the longest serving bishop in Argentina and of Croatian heritage, has passed away at the age of 99 following health complications, the Archdiocese of Paraná confirmed on Saturday.

Born in Argentina to a family of Croatian emigrants from the village of Grižane, near Crikvenica, Karlić dedicated his life to the Church both in Argentina and abroad. He served as Archbishop of the north eastern city of Paraná from 1986 until 2003 and was elevated to cardinal in 2007.

“We announce with deep sorrow that Cardinal Estanislao Esteban Karlić has passed away. As the Church in Paraná, we entrust his soul to Our Lady of the Rosary and pray for his eternal rest,” the Archdiocese said in a statement.

Karlić completed his secondary education in Córdoba before entering the seminary in 1947. 

He graduated in philosophy and theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1954, and after being ordained in 1955, served in various pastoral roles across Argentina.

On the international stage, he was appointed in 1997 by Pope John Paul II as Special Secretary for the First Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican. 

He later served on the post synodal commission, strengthening ties between the Americas and the Holy See.

The Archdiocese of Paraná revealed that on 20 May this year, Pope Leo XIV personally thanked Karlić for his service. “I owe you much personally. The Church has received many valuable services from you, and in the present situation you continue to serve her,” the Pope told him.

The two men shared a close connection dating back to their membership in the Order of Saint Augustine, which Karlić joined in 2005. 

Pope Leo XIV had served in the same order before his election as head of the Catholic Church. During visits to Rome, Karlić often spent time with the current Pope, a bond the Archdiocese described as “going beyond institutional formality and part of the tradition of episcopal fraternity.”

Cardinal Karlić leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service, deep faith and strong ties between Argentina, Croatia and the Vatican.