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Cardinal Estanislao Esteban Karlic, a revered figure in the Argentine Catholic Church and former Archbishop of Paraná, died on 8 August 2025 at the age of 99.
Born on 7 February 1926 in Oliva, Argentina, to Croatian immigrant parents, Karlic’s lifelong devotion to theology and pastoral care marked him as a significant voice in Latin American Catholicism. After completing early studies at Colegio Nacional de Monserrat and briefly studying law, he entered the Major Seminary of Córdoba in 1947.
Ordained a priest on 8 December 1954 by Archbishop Zenobio Guilland, Karlic served as a professor of theology and seminary superior before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Córdoba on 6 June 1977. His episcopal consecration took place on 15 August 1977, celebrated by Cardinal Raúl Primatesta.
On 19 January 1983, Pope John Paul II named him Coadjutor Archbishop of Paraná, with Karlic assuming full leadership of the archdiocese on 1 April 1986 following the death of Archbishop Adolfo Tortolo. During his tenure, he received the archiepiscopal pallium from Pope John Paul II in 1987 at St Peter’s Basilica.
Karlic’s influence extended beyond his archdiocese. He held key roles within the Argentine Episcopal Conference, serving as president from 1996 to 2002, and contributed to important Church documents, including work on the editorial committee of the Catechism of the Catholic Church between 1986 and 1992.
After Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation on 29 April 2003, Karlic retired to the Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of Paraná, remaining a respected theologian and teacher. Elevated to the cardinalate by Pope Benedict XVI on 24 November 2007, Karlic received the title of Cardinal Priest of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sorrows in Plaza Buenos Aires. Due to age, he did not participate in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for Karlic’s life of faith and profound service to the Church.
Known as a theological moderate, Karlic once affirmed, “The family is the sanctuary of love and life,” emphasising his commitment to unity and pastoral care amid diverse Church factions. His death closes a chapter on one of Argentina’s longest-serving and most thoughtful churchmen, whose faith and service spanned nearly a century.
(Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)
