Edgard R. Beltrán

Edgard R. Beltrán, 91, went to be with the Lord on May 8, 2022 in Rockford, Illinois. Born in Bogotá, Colombia on November 4, 1930 one of seven children to Miguel Antonio and Alejandrina (Acosta) Beltrán. He started his pastoral work in the Diocese of Girardot (Colombia) where he worked in several parishes and initiated the parish of Cristo Resucitado. After Edgard studied theology and pastoral ministry in Rome and Brussels he was invited to be the Executive Secretary of the Pastoral Department for CELAM (Bishop Council of Latin America) where he held that role for seven years. He was invited by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States to develop Hispanic Pastoral MInistry at a national level from the Hispanic National Secretariat in Washington, DC for seven years. He then became an editor for Liguori Publications in St. Louis, MO. Edgard was invited to the Catholic Diocese of Rockford to be the Director of Centro Hispano Sembrador for 20 years. Among many things he created Small Christian Communities and School of Formation. Afterwards, he continued to give workshops and marriage preparation in different dioceses across the country. He is the author of many articles and seven books in different languages. No matter the location he worked within Small Christian Communities in a new form to do theology from the reality of the poor. He worked tirelessly as an educator and never doubted the capacity of the people he walked alongside. He empowered people to create a more just world and to treat each other as brothers and sisters. For Edgard it never was work, it was his ministry for the Kingdom of God. He was a devoted husband and father who had infinite love and devotion.

He will be survived by those who loved him most, his wife of 41 years, Ignacia; his children Edgard Miguel and Astrid Maria Beltrán; his sisters Lucy Beltrán and Amparo Beltrán; numerous beloved nieces, nephews and all of the lives touched by Edgard’s presence. He is predeceased by his parents and siblings Elsa, Hugo, Stella and Augusto.

A Memorial Mass will take place on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, Illinois 61107. If unable to attend in person, please feel free to go to https://holyfamilyrockford.org/ to view the Funeral Mass virtually, instructions below. In lieu of flowers, the family has noted that Edgard lived his life in a way of always helping others, and has asked that memorials be in helping those in need. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory Mulford Chapel has assisted the family, to send online condolences or memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com


TO VIEW VIRTUALLY:
Please visit https://holyfamilyrockford.org/ and on their main page there is an option under "Watch Mass" please click on the option "click here." From there it will redirect you to Holy Family's YouTube page. Click on the option "Videos" and when the Mass is close to starting the most recent video should indicate that the video is running live, please click on that video.