Eduardo Maria Taussig (born July 4, 1954) is an Argentinian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the bishop of San Rafael from 2004 to 2022.


Eduardo Maria Taussig
Bishop of San Rafael
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
DioceseSan Rafael
SeeSan Rafael
Appointed21 July 2004
Installed11 October 2004
Term ended5 February 2022
PredecessorGuillermo José Garlatti
SuccessorCarlos María Domínguez
Orders
Ordination3 December 1982
by Juan Carlos Aramburu
Consecration25 September 2004
by Jorge Mario Bergoglio
Personal details
Born
Eduardo Maria Taussig

(1954-07-04) 4 July 1954 (age 70)
Alma materPontifical Catholic University of Argentina
Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas
MottoPaterna atque fraterna charitate
Coat of armsEduardo Maria Taussig's coat of arms

Biography

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Eduardo Maria Taussig was born in Buenos Aires on 9 July 1954. His family immigrated to Argentina from Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. After attending the Colegio San Pablo in Buenos Aires, he studied philosophy at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) and theology at the Buenos Aires seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on 3 December 1982 by Cardenal Juan Carlos Aramburu.[1] He continued his studies, earning a philosophy degree at UCA and then a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in 1990.[2]

Returning to Buenos Aires, he was Parish Vicar in San José del Talar, professor of philosophy and theology at UCA, chaplain of a university residence hall, and advisor of the Fundar Association and of the Consortium of Catholic Odontologists. In 2002 he was appointed parish priest of San Luca and director of the diocesan office of university pastoral service.[2]

On 21 July 2004, Pope John Paul II appointed him bishop of San Rafael.[2] Taussig received his episcopal consecration on 25 September from Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, later Pope Francis. He was installed as bishop on 11 October. He was viewed as a relatively conservative bishop, friendly with Archbishop Hector Aguer, for example, Pope Francis' "nemesis" when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires.[3]

In July 2020, as a safety measure to restrict the spread of the COVID-19 virus, he instituted a rule that Holy Communion be received in the hand rather than on the tongue. When the priests and laity of the diocese protested this, Taussig identified the seminary, the largest in Argentina, as the center of opposition to his authority and closed it.[3] In October he asked people not to join marches protesting the seminary closure.[4] In November, Taussig faced protests during a pastoral visit where he attempted to explain his decision to close the seminary.[5]

Pope Francis accepted his resignation as bishop of San Rafael on 5 February 2022.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Mons. Eduardo María Taussig" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 March 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Rinunce e Nomine, 21.07.2004" (Press release) (in Italian). 21 July 2004. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b San Martin, Ines (5 August 2020). "Argentinian Seminary Closed After Defying Bishop's 'Communion on the Hand' Order". The Tablet. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Mons. Taussig pide no adherir a marchas contra el cierre del seminario". AICA (in Spanish). 10 October 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Argentine priest suspended for punching bishop who closed seminary". Catholic News Agency. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 05.02.2022" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
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