TALIBON, PHILLIPINES — On September 14, Magdalena Auza, 98-year-old mother of the Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra, and former Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations (2014-2019), Archbishop Bernardito Auza, died in Talibon, Philippines, after a brief illness.

Born Magdalena Polestico Cleopas, she was married to Meliton Garcia Auza for 75 years. They celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary on January 27, 2020. Magdalena was the mother of 12 children, of whom Archbishop Auza was the eighth.

She is survived by her 98-year old husband Meliton, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her funeral will be on Monday September 21 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Trinity, Talibon, and will be livestreamed for their children and others to be able "virtually" to participate, including Archbishop Auza, as they cannot attend the funeral of their mother due to the corona virus crisis.

Those who would like to send cards of condolences to Archbishop Auza and family members may do so care of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See, 25 E. 39th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Several Masses for the repose of her soul have been offered at the chapel of the Holy See Mission by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia and the priests of the Mission.