Biography
Victor Razafimahatratra was born in Ambanitsilena-Ranomasina, and studied at the Major Seminary of Fianarantsoa before entering the Society of Jesus, more commonly known as the Jesuits, on September 19, 1945. He continued his education at the Jesuit schools in Fianarantsoa, and then went to Belgium to study at the Theological Faculty of Brussels and the Catechetical Center "Lumen Gentium", also in Brussels.
Razafimahatratra was ordained to the priesthood on July 28, 1956, finishing his studies in 1960. From 1960 to 1963, he was Rector of the Minor Seminary of Fianarantsoa. He made his solemn profession as a Jesuit on February 2, 1963, and then served as Superior of the Jesuit residence in Ambositra until 1969. He was Rector of the Major Seminary and Institute of Superior Studies in Fianarantsoa from 1969 to 1971.
On January 16, 1971, Razafimahatratra was appointed Bishop of Farafangana by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration on the following April 18 from Archbishop Gilbert Ramanantoanina, SJ, with Archbishop Albert Tsiahoana and Bishop Pierre Zévaco, CM, serving as co-consecrators. Razafimahatratra was later named President of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar in 1974, and was promoted to Archbishop of Tananarive on April 10, 1976.
Pope Paul created him Cardinal Priest of S. Croce in Gerusalemme in the consistory of May 24, 1976. Razafimahatratra was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the conclaves of August and October 1978, which selected Popes John Paul I and John Paul II respectively. On October 28, 1989, the Archdiocese of Tananarive was renamed as the Archdiocese of Antananarivo.
The Cardinal died in Antananarivo, at the age of 72.
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