Florentin Crihălmeanu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend Florentin Crihalmeanu |
|
|---|---|
| Greek Catholic Bishop of Cluj-Gherla | |
| Church | Romanian Greek Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Greek Catholic Diocese of Cluj-Gherla |
| Appointed | 18 July 2002 |
| Reign ended | 12 January 2021 |
| Predecessor | George Guţiu |
| Other posts | Auxiliary Bishop of Cluj-Gherla |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 9 September 1990 |
| Consecration | 6 January 1997 by Pope John Paul II |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 17, 1959 Iași, Romania |
| Died | January 12, 2021 (aged 61) Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
| Nationality | Romanian |
Florentin Crihălmeanu (born September 17, 1959 – died January 12, 2021) was an important leader in the Romanian Greek Catholic Church. He served as a bishop.
Early Life and Education
Florentin Crihălmeanu was born in Iași, Romania. His father was Greek-Catholic, and his mother was Roman Catholic. He finished high school in Cluj-Napoca in 1978. After school, he completed his military service in Turda from 1978 to 1979.
In 1984, he earned a degree from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. He then worked as an engineer. He worked first in Bistrița and later in Cluj-Napoca until 1990.
Path to Priesthood
While working as an engineer, Florentin Crihălmeanu also studied theology privately. This was in 1986, when the communist government ruled Romania. After the Romanian Revolution of 1989, the Greek Catholic Church became legal again. He was ordained as a priest in September 1990.
He then went to Rome to continue his studies. He earned two degrees in Theology. These were from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in 1992 and 1994.
Becoming a Bishop
When he returned to Romania, he taught at a seminary in Cluj-Napoca. He also taught at Babeș-Bolyai University. In November 1996, he was named an auxiliary bishop. This means he was a helper bishop for the Greek Catholic Diocese of Cluj-Gherla.
His special ceremony to become a bishop, called a consecration, happened in January 1997. Pope John Paul II performed this ceremony. It took place in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. In 2002, he became the main Bishop of Cluj-Gherla. He took over from George Guțiu.
Later Life and Passing
Bishop Crihălmeanu passed away on January 12, 2021. He was 61 years old. His death was due to COVID-19. This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania.
