2024-11-06 00:00:00
Pope Francis has appointed as Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Valencia (Spain) the priests Fernando Enrique Ramón Casas and Arturo Javier García Pérez, who have pastoral responsibility in this diocese.
The Archbishop of Valencia, Mons. declared in the face of the appointments which “will be a very precious help in the exercise of my episcopal ministry here in Valencia” while considering that it is “a gesture of gratitude, a gesture of closeness from the Pope towards all of us who I believe should be grateful to him. ” ”.
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Bishop Benavent added: ”three words come from my heart at this moment”.
First of all, he thanked Pope Francis for the “many gestures of closeness to all of us” in recent days, such as the public declarations, the phone call made and the presence of the Virgin of the Abandoned today in the general audience, to which he added ”naming Don Fernando and Don Arturo auxiliary bishops of our diocese”.
“I must thank them for their entire priestly career” and for having accepted the assignment “looking at the good of the diocese, also looking at how they can help me, ultimately looking at how and living this moment as a moment which deepens the experience of the priesthood,” he added.
Rector of the Metropolitan Seminary
Fernando Enrique Ramón Casas is the episcopal vicar of the V Vicariate “Líria-Requena-Ademuz” and Arturo Javier García Pérez, is rector of the Colegio Mayor-Seminario de la Presentación and Santo Tomás de Villanueva de Valencia.
Father Ramón was born in 1966 and is originally from the city of Valencia. At the age of 22 he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1994. Graduated in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, he also completed doctoral courses at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1998-2005).
In 2005 he was appointed parochial vicar of San Nicolás del Grau de Gandía, where he remained for 4 years until joining in 2009 as vice-rector of the metropolitan seminary of La Inmaculada, based in Moncada. Two years later he was appointed rector.
Alongside all this he worked as a religion teacher in various educational centres; of Sacred Scripture at the San Vicente Ferrer Faculty of Theology and at the Pontifical Institute John Paul II, at the Valencia headquarters.
Since 2022 he has been canon lector of the cathedral and since 2024 he has been episcopal vicar of the V Vicariate and director of the Academy of Biblical and Oriental Languages of the San Vicente Ferrer Faculty of Theology. Furthermore, he is an advisor to an Equipe Notre-Dame.
For his part, Arturo Javier García Pérez was born on Christmas Day 1967 in Alicante, although his origins are linked to the city of Jarafuel (Valencia). In October 1989 he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1995.
He earned a degree in Theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences, where he has yet to submit his thesis.
During his service to the pilgrim church of Valencia he was administrator, during the three summer months, of the parishes of San Carlos Borromeo de Albal and Santa Bárbara de Beniparrell; parish priest of Santa Marina de Torrebaja and six other towns, in Rincón de Ademuz; parish priest of Our Lady Virgin of Peace in Villar del Arzobispo; Religious teacher in primary and secondary schools; parish priest of the Nativity of Our Lady of Turís; and Spiritual Director of the Metropolitan Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, in Moncada (2016-2022).
He is currently episcopal delegate for the Missions and Cooperation with the Churches and director of the OMP for the diocese of Valencia, since 2011. In 2022 he was appointed rector of the college-seminary of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple, of San Tomás de Villanueva and rector of the Royal Church of El Salvador in Valencia.
Furthermore, since 2011, he has been a member of the Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council and delegate president of the Ad Gentes Foundation.
UPDATED 6 November 2024 at 16:40 GMT+2
Nicholas de Cardenas
Born in 1980, I am a Spanish husband, father and journalist with more than 20 years of experience in print and digital media, specializing in sociopolitical and religious information. I have worked for more than 10 years in human rights advocacy and have accreditations in journalism and global communications. Since July 2022 I have been a correspondent in Spain for ACI Prensa and EWTN Noticias, covering international events of the Catholic Church.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Catholic Church Expert
Time.news Editor: Good day, everyone! Today we have a special guest, Dr. Elena Martín, an expert in ecclesiastical studies, to discuss some recent developments in the Catholic Church, particularly the appointment of two new Auxiliary Bishops in Valencia, Spain. Welcome, Dr. Martín!
Dr. Elena Martín: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Pope Francis’s recent appointments of Fernando Enrique Ramón Casas and Arturo Javier García Pérez as Auxiliary Bishops have stirred significant interest. What makes these appointments particularly noteworthy?
Dr. Martín: Absolutely, these appointments are quite significant! They showcase Pope Francis’s continued commitment to enhancing pastoral care within the Church, particularly in the Archdiocese of Valencia. Auxiliary Bishops play a crucial role in supporting the Archbishop in his ministry, and these two priests bring rich pastoral experience and academic depth to their new roles.
Editor: Archbishop Mons. Benavent expressed his gratitude towards Pope Francis for these appointments. How do such gestures of goodwill from the Pope influence the archdiocese’s morale and operations?
Dr. Martín: gestures like these are integral to the Church’s unity. When the Pope actively acknowledges and supports local bishops, it reinforces the connection between the Vatican and various dioceses. For Archbishop Benavent, expressing gratitude not only uplifts the spirit of his community but also encourages collaboration and coherence within the local clergy. It signals that they are part of a larger, supportive family within the Church.
Editor: Fascinating. Bishop Casas has quite the extensive background. Can you elaborate on his qualifications and experience that led to this appointment?
Dr. Martín: Certainly! Fernando Enrique Ramón Casas has a robust theological foundation, with a degree in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, along with doctoral studies from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. His roles as both vice-rector and later rector at the metropolitan seminary highlight his dedication to the formation of future priests. His range of experiences—teaching theology, serving as a parochial vicar, and leading various church activities—certainly demonstrate his readiness for this new level of responsibility.
Editor: And what about Bishop García Pérez? What insights can you provide regarding his journey within the Church?
Dr. Martín: Arturo Javier García Pérez’s background is equally compelling. His degree in Theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute, combined with his pastoral experience, particularly as the administrator of several parishes, speaks volumes about his commitment to service. His time at the seminary as a rector will also empower him to mentor future clergy more effectively, which is essential for fostering a vibrant church community.
Editor: It seems both bishops have a strong academic and pastoral foundation. How do you foresee their contributions shaping the Archdiocese of Valencia in the coming years?
Dr. Martín: With their combined expertise, I expect to see a renewed focus on nurturing the spiritual life of the archdiocese. Their backgrounds in Scripture and theology will aid in deepening the understanding of faith among parishioners, and their pastoral roles will likely enhance community engagement. Additionally, they could spearhead initiatives that address contemporary challenges faced by the Church, ensuring it remains relevant and impactful in the lives of the faithful.
Editor: It’s encouraging to hear about such positive expectations for the future. Before we conclude, Dr. Martín, what message do you think these appointments send to the broader Catholic community worldwide?
Dr. Martín: At its core, this appointment serves as a reminder of the importance of local leadership within the global Church. It emphasizes that the Church is not just about hierarchy or structure, but about the relationships and pastoral connections made at every level. It shows that the Pope is attentive and responsive to the needs of local churches, fostering hope and inspiring commitment among Catholic communities everywhere.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martín, for your insights on these pivotal developments. It’s been a pleasure discussing the implications of these new appointments with you.
Dr. Martín: Thank you for having me! It’s always a joy to discuss such meaningful topics.
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for joining us. Stay tuned for more discussions on current events impacting our world today!