Roman Catholic Cardinal. The third of eight children, born on the Île Sainte-Marie, presently known as Nosy Boraha, Jérôme Louis Rakotomalala rose to become Madagascar's first cardinal. Entering seminary in Ambotaraka, he was ordained priest on July 31, 1943, and appointed to the teaching staff of the named seminary, went on to serve as director of the Saint Peter Canisius School and vicar general of the then apostolic vicariate of Tananarive between 1946 and 1960. The first native to be elected ordinary of Tananarive following the resignation of Msgr. Victor Sartre SJ., who stepped down in order to give space to the local clergy to the highest ecclesiastical responsibilities, he received his episcopal consecration from Pope John XXIII at the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica on May 8, 1960. Pope Paul VI created him cardinal priest with the title of Santa Maria Consolatrice al Tiburtino in the consistory of April 28, 1969, making him thus, the first Madagascan member of the Sacred College of Cardinals. Known for his great austerity and simple way of life, notwithstanding his dignity he kept on with his traditional pastoral activities following his elevation, touring his diocese as accustomed on foot, riding a bike or sometimes on his Citroën 2CV. Returning from Rome on October 31, 1975, visiting Ikazolava two days later to administer confirmation, soon after celebrating mass and replying to the welcoming speech given in his honour, while on his way to the house of a religious female congregation he complained of a sudden severe headache, collapsed on the grass and expired. He was sixty-one years of age.
Roman Catholic Cardinal. The third of eight children, born on the Île Sainte-Marie, presently known as Nosy Boraha, Jérôme Louis Rakotomalala rose to become Madagascar's first cardinal. Entering seminary in Ambotaraka, he was ordained priest on July 31, 1943, and appointed to the teaching staff of the named seminary, went on to serve as director of the Saint Peter Canisius School and vicar general of the then apostolic vicariate of Tananarive between 1946 and 1960. The first native to be elected ordinary of Tananarive following the resignation of Msgr. Victor Sartre SJ., who stepped down in order to give space to the local clergy to the highest ecclesiastical responsibilities, he received his episcopal consecration from Pope John XXIII at the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica on May 8, 1960. Pope Paul VI created him cardinal priest with the title of Santa Maria Consolatrice al Tiburtino in the consistory of April 28, 1969, making him thus, the first Madagascan member of the Sacred College of Cardinals. Known for his great austerity and simple way of life, notwithstanding his dignity he kept on with his traditional pastoral activities following his elevation, touring his diocese as accustomed on foot, riding a bike or sometimes on his Citroën 2CV. Returning from Rome on October 31, 1975, visiting Ikazolava two days later to administer confirmation, soon after celebrating mass and replying to the welcoming speech given in his honour, while on his way to the house of a religious female congregation he complained of a sudden severe headache, collapsed on the grass and expired. He was sixty-one years of age.
Bio by: Eman Bonnici
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