Evocation
to Father Aníbal Rodrigues

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Father Aníbal Rodrigues (1919-2013) was a man who was born, lived and died in Castro Laboreiro. Originally from the hamlet of Mareco, he became the parish priest in Castro Laboreiro from 1948. During his priesthood, he stood out as a Castrejo figure, working socially and politically for the benefit of his land.

Today, the priest is remembered for his achievements that privileged Castro Laboreiro, among which are his efforts to introduce electricity and the post office, signs of an infrastructural and social evolution that would set Castro apart from the other parishes. However, away from this place, Father Aníbal Rodrigues is remembered for his writings about his land, and in particular for his efforts in the identification, inventory and dissemination of the prehistoric heritage of the Castrejo plateau.

This parish priest’s unique connection with the world of Portuguese archaeology, the memory of his activism for Castro Laboreiro, and his ability to relate to high political figures in Portugal’s recent history – among which his friendship with former president Mário Soares stands out – allow us to recognize in the figure of Father Aníbal a unique character, linked by his strong personality and aesthetics.

This Evocation aims to revisit this important figure of Castro Laboreiro, remembered today with a statue and a museum safeguarded by the parish. It is built from the collection of photographs taken and kept by Father Aníbal Rodrigues, preserved today by his nephew Amado Fernandes, who inherited it and kindly made available to this event.

The Evocation of Father Aníbal Rodrigues will be displayed in the hall of the parish house of Castro Laboreiro, located opposite the square of the transept, where he lived during his priesthood. Inaugurated on the 30th of July, it will be open until the 15th of October.

Daniel Maciel