In 1888 he volunteered once again for the missions, this time in Colombia, and was placed in charge of a new effort there to restore the ancient Recollect province of Candelaria with an appointment as prior provincial. Under his leadership the friars began mission work in the difficult Plains of Casanare, reaping much fruit in a brief period of time. On 1 May 1894 Ezekiel was ordained Bishop, becoming the first Vicar Apostolic of Casanare, to the great satisfaction of the religious and civic authorities who, together with the people, held him in great esteem. Less than two years later he was promoted to the Metropolitan See of Pasto. During his pastorate there, Columbia was plagued with war from 1899 until 1902, In this difficult situation Bishop Moreno proved himself to be a great defender of the Church and a voice of strength and clarity for his people.
Bishop Moreno was found to be suffering from cancer and was advised by physicians to return to Europe to receive proper treatment. Contrary to his own desire, but upon the insistence of the religious and clergy of the diocese, he departed Pasto in December of 1905 and was operated on in Madrid the following February, and again in March. Recognizing that the end was drawing near he asked to spend his final days in Monteagudo, Spain, where he died on 19 August 1906 in the monastery where he entered the Augustinian Order and served as rector.
His body was interred at Monteagudo, where it remained until 1915 when the process for his canonization began. Bishop Moreno was beatified by Pope Paul VI on 1 November 1975 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, on 11 October 1992, on the occasion of the Fifth Centenary of the Evangelization of the Americas.
Taken from http://www.osa-west.org/saintezekielmoreno.html
Posted by Carlos J. Medina, Novice
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