The Rev. Alvaro Araica died December 31, 2023 at age 63, after a long illness.
A priest from Nicaragua where he was ordained a deacon in 1987 and priest in 1989, Araica came to the United States in 1992 for graduate study and spent the rest of his ministry in the Diocese of Chicago. He graduated from the National University of Nicaragua before receiving his MDiv from Seabury-Western in 1995 followed by his D.Min. in 2009. He served Iglesia Episcopal Santa Teresa de Avila in Chicago and then Iglesia Episcopal Cristo Rey in Chicago, where he was vicar until his death.
“Soon after I became bishop, Alvaro shared with me his dream of expanding our diocese’s Hispanic ministry efforts to create an office of multicultural ministry that would serve congregations across our diocese that are home to people from many cultures and traditions,” Bishop Paula Clark said in announcing his death. “I was inspired by his vision, and in August, I named him missioner for multicultural ministries.”
The bishop said that as the diocese engages in multicultural ministry in the future, it will do so in memory of Araica. He is survived by Marta, his wife of more than 41 years; two sons; a daughter; and a granddaughter.
From an obituary published in The Living Church February, 28, 2024