MIAMI, April 12 (UPI) -- Miami's Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Agustin Roman has died of an apparent heart problem, church officials said. He was 83.
The Cuban refugee was found slumped in his car Wednesday on the grounds of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity where he served, The Miami Herald reported Thursday. He had a history of heart problems, including a quadruple bypass in 1992.
Mourners filling the church Thursday spoke reverently of the priest who had served thousands of Cuban exiles.
"We've lost someone who was tremendous," said Silvia Gonzalez, who went to school with Roman in Cuba. "But from Heaven, he'll be with me -- and all Cubans.
"He was a saint to me. He devoted his entire life to God. He never even took a vacation," she added.
Parishioners filled the church Thursday evening for a viewing and wake service that is scheduled to continue through Friday night. The funeral Mass is set to be led Saturday by Archbishop Thomas Wenski, the newspaper said.
