Eulogy for a Great Pro-Life Catholic
By Magaly Llaguno
2005

It is not very often that one can find someone totally committed, not only to proclaiming the Catholic faith but also to really living it. Everything that person says and does is rooted in faith. One such person is Ivan Ortiz, who recently went home to God the Father.

Ivan was one of those Christians who actively seek the opportunity to do good deeds. One small example is the story told by Father David Smith during Ivan’s funeral. Father Smith said that when Ivan found out that he needed a car in order to be able to perform his priestly duties, he went online, found him one and gave him the funds to purchase it. Many more examples such as this one could be given. The fact that the church was totally full during Ivan’s funeral services, shows how much he was loved and how much good he had done. Ivan’s wife Rosemarie and his two sons spoke beautifully from the pulpit, about his life as a husband and a father.

But in my opinion the greatest acts of charity that Ivan ever did, were done in defense of his Catholic faith and of unborn children; in his speeches and in his writings. Ivan, even though he was very seriously ill and suffering greatly because of his cancer, held a meeting at his home and urged his friends to organize a fundraiser for Vida Humana Internacional (VHI), Human Life International’s Hispanic Division in Miami. A long time supporter, Ivan was concerned over the future of the VHI affiliates that are defending life & family throughout the Hispanic world, and in need of financial support in order to continue their life-saving work.

A small group of Ivan’s friends, moved out of love for him and as a tribute to him, helped organize a beautiful fundraising dinner for VHI. But Ivan was so ill, that he could not even attend. However, using a phone he addressed those who were present with beautiful, faith-filled words, urging them to support VHI’s work. Because of Ivan’s and of his faithful friends’ efforts, funds were raised for the work of saving unborn lives being done by VHI’s affiliates.

From the time that Ivan was diagnosed with cancer to the time he died, he valiantly fought for his own life, as he had fought in defense of unborn babies’ lives. I have never seen any human being suffer that much, and bear it without any complaints. It was obvious that God was giving him the supernatural graces that he needed to persevere in faith, right up until the end. He was an example of fortitude in spite of great suffering that inspired all who visited him.

Ivan was an active member of Legatus, an organization of ambassadors of Catholic values in the market place. He was also involved with NARTH, which successfully helps people suffering from a homosexual orientation to live a normal life. He was a member of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Miami, and was greatly loved by the pastor, Father Omar Huesca. The funeral services were held at that church by Fr. Huesca.

Ivan’s earthly life ended on January 28, 2005. However, his legacy lives on in every unborn baby that will be saved from abortion, because of his contribution to the pro-life movement in Latin America.