Pope Francis has declared a pioneer of pediatric medicine in Guatemala, Ernesto Cofiño, venerable. He was born in 1899. In 1933, he married Clemencia Samayoa and they had five children. In 1956, Ernesto discovered his vocation to Opus Dei.
His professional reputation led him to become the Chair of Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of San Carlos. He stood out not only for his work but also for being a layman committed to his own religious formation and to serving those most in need.
In his medical practice, he took care of both the physical and personal problems of his patients. He helped many orphans and street children. Ernesto was also the director of Caritas Guatemala and collaborated with organizations dedicated to the education and training of the poor, workers and women with limited resources.
JRB
TR: KG
