Evencio Cófreces Merino was born on April 25, 1941 in Quintanilla de Osoña, Palencia, Spain. He died on June 11, 2001 in the hospital of the University of Navarre. Ordained a priest on June 29, 1964, he requested admission to Opus Dei as an Associate of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross in 1965. A doctor in Theology with a licenciate degree in Canon Law, he was a professor in the School of Theology at the University of Navarre and in the diocesan seminary of Toledo. In 1974 he was appointed canon of the Cathedral of Toledo. The author of several works in moral theology, he directed numerous retreats for seminarians, priests and religious. Preaching and directing souls were his great passions in life. His funeral was attended by the Cardinal of Toledo, a number of bishops and some two hundred priests, in addition to a great number of lay faithful.

Alejandro Tabernero Herranz, was born in Balbacil, Guadalajara, Spain, on November 11, 1930. Ordained a priest on June 20, 1954, he requested admission as an Associate of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross in 1972. He carried out an intense priestly activity in many villages in the diocese. Numerous priests owe the discovery of their vocation to him and many people also became members of Opus Dei as a result of his apostolic zeal. He was also spiritual director in the diocesan seminary and chaplain of a high school. He died suddenly in Chiloeches, a village near Guadalajara, on March 26, 2001, after carrying out his usual duties and attending a formative activity with other priests of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross.

Alain-Marie David de Vinzelles was born in Paris on November 21, 1915. A graduate in physics, he was ordained a priest on June 29, 1943. For many years he was also a teacher in various high schools. He asked for admission as a Supernumerary of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross in 1983. He died in Paris, on April 25, 2001, at the age of 85, after suffering from cardiac problems for a number of years.


The others members of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross who died during this half-year are:


Miguel Marcelo Álvarez Robles. May 6, 2001
José Iago da Graça do Rosário Andrade. January 25, 2001
Jean Duckaërt. June 3, 2001
Vicente Esteve Bru. June 29, 2001
Josep Fonosas Planas. April 25, 2001
Juan Antonio Lauzurica Ortiz de Mendívil. March 31, 2001
Juan Lladó Mora. May 18, 2001
José Maestre Sánchez. February 27, 2001
Leónides Parrado Hornillos. January 15, 2001
Antonio Rafael Pereyra Banchs. June 30, 2000
Silvino Román Manrique. June 13, 2001
Tomás Ruano García. February 22, 2001
Casiano Ruiz de Oña Otaegui. May 14, 2001
Jesús Ruiz Iriarte. May 16, 2001
Joaquín Ruiz Iriarte. June 23, 2001
Domingo Serna Martínez. May 20, 2001