Msgr. Rrok Mirdita, the distinguished figure of the Albanian Catholic clergy who devoted his life to the community

On September 28, 1939, in Kllezna, Ulcinj, Msgr. Rrok Mirdita was born — a prominent figure of the Albanian Catholic clergy. He finished high school in his hometown, while his higher studies in theology and philosophy took him to Zadar and Zagreb in Croatia.

On July 5, 1965, he was ordained a priest and served local believers for several years. He was then sent to New York to serve the Albanian Catholic community in the Bronx. During his years of service in the United States, Msgr. Rrok Mirdita made a special contribution to strengthening the religious and community life of Albanians.

In 1985 he founded the radio program “Voice of the Catholic Church — Our Lady of Shkodra,” and was also involved in the founding and development of the parishes “Our Lady of Shkodra” and “Our Lady of Good Counsel” in New York, USA.

On April 24, 1993, Msgr. Rrok Mirdita was ordained by Pope John Paul II as Archbishop of Durrës and Tirana and returned to Albania, where he took on the task of rebuilding the Catholic Church after decades of dictatorship and state atheism.

At the head of the Catholic Church and as leader of Albanian Caritas, Msgr. Rrok Mirdita worked in humanitarian aid, supporting education, caring for the needy, and strengthening interfaith harmony and coexistence. He passed away in Tirana on December 7, 2015.