Biffi, Eugenio
BIFFI, EUGENIO
Member of the Milan Institute of Foreign Missions and bishop of Cartagena, Colombia; b. Milan, Dec. 22, 1829; d. Barranquilla, Colombia, Nov. 8, 1896. He studied at the seminary of Monza and was ordained in Milan on May 21, 1853. He entered the seminary of Foreign Missions of Milan that same year. He was sent to Cartagena (1856) but was expelled in the persecution of Tomas C. de Mosquera. He worked with the Jesuits in the mission of Belize, British Honduras. In 1867 he was named apostolic prefect of Eastern Birmania, residing in Toungoo, where he organized the mission. In 1882 Leo XIII named him bishop of Cartagena at the request of the city, and he was consecrated in Milan on Feb. 19, 1882. In Cartagena he reorganized the seminary and entrusted it to Eudist fathers from France. He founded schools and social welfare agencies, and he restored the church of St. Peter claver and spread the veneration of this saint. He frequently visited his vast diocese and through his kindness gained the love of his people.
Bibliography: p. a. brioschi, Un apóstol de dos continentes: Vida del excelentísimo Sr. Eugenio Biffi, de las misiones extranjeras de Milán (Cartagena 1940).
[j. m. pacheco]