The Vatican has published today the appointment of Mons. Jesús Fernández, until now Bishop of Astorga, as a new residential prelate of the Diocese of Córdoba (Spain), after the resignation presented by Mons. Demetrio Fernández on February 15.
Mons. Jesús Fernández will turn 70 of life and 45 as a priest in 2025. Formed in the Diocese of León, he was rector of the Major Seminary between 1987 and 1990, when he moved to the Pontifical University of Salamanca, where he obtained the degree in Philosophy and performed the doctoral courses.
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During his apostolate in the Leonese diocese he was pastor, trainer and spiritual director in the seminar and occupied various positions in the curia, including that of Vicar General. He also directed the Diocesan newspaper and was chaplain of the local football team for 15 years.
In December 2013 he was appointed by Pope Francis Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago de Compostela, receiving the Episcopal Consecration in February 2014. Six years later he took charge of the Diocese of Astorga, where he has remained since then.
In the Spanish Episcopal Conference he is president of the Episcopal Commission for Social Pastoral and Human Promotion, so it is part of the Permanent Commission of the Episcopal Coordination Agency.
Mons. Jesús Fernández goes from pastoring a small diocese of northern Spain, under the archbishopric of Oviedo, with a population of just over 200,000 souls, 974 parishes (mostly rural) and 178 priests (90 retirees), to an ecclesial constituency in the southern Andalusian south.
The Diocese of Córdoba, suffragan of the Archdiocese of Seville, serves a population of almost 800,000 people through the pastoral action of 269 parishes and 269 presbyters (also 90 retirees).
Mons. Jesús Fernández will take possession as a bishop of Córdoba on May 24 at the Mosque-Catedral de Córdoba. Until then, he will exercise as a diocesan administrator of the Diocese of Astorga, while Mons. Demetrio Fernández will do the same in the Andalusian diocese.
“Welcome, Don Jesús”
In a Message disseminated by the Diocese of CórdobaMons. Demetrio Fernández received his successor with a “welcome, Don Jesus”, followed by a call to “touch to glory the bells of the cathedral and the entire diocese, because the Pope gives us a new successor of the apostles.”
The one from today Bishop Emeritus hopes that the taking of possession of his successor will be a “festive assembly” in which he is received with joy by all the faithful and the representatives of the diocese.
After making a brief semblance of his successor, Mons. Demetrio Fernández has pointed out that “a bishop does not choose his diocese” and that, in a climate of faith and ecclesial communion, “we offer him from the first moment our deepest respect and obedience as to whom Christ represents in the middle of his people.”
Bishop Emeritus wanted to entrust his successor to the Virgin, especially under his invocation of Fuensanta, already numerous saints and martyrs of the past and present history of the diocese.
“What a joy to receive a new bishop in our Diocese of Córdoba. Let them thank God for this new grace,” he concluded.
“Continue to contribute to the configuration of a synodal church”
For his part, Mons. Jesús Fernández too He addressed his new diocesans in which he explained that he adds “to the history of a pilgrim church that began its journey at the end of the third century with the Bishop of Córdoba, and whose most important heritage is holiness.”
“With humility and always counting with the help of the Lord and the co -responsibility of shepherds, consecrated and laity, I hope to continue contributing to the configuration of a synodal church and the evangelizing mission in that territory,” he said.
In his speech, he has committed his commitment to “the Samaritan and humanizing task” that already develops in Córdoba, while being shown at the service of the different components of the presbyterate, the religious and lay life of the diocese, praising his many expressions of fidelity.
“I put my person and ministry in the hands of the Lord, with the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Fuensanta”, and other saints
Nicolás de Cárdenas
Born in 1980, I am a Spanish and journalist’s husband and father with more than 20 years of experience in print and digital media, specialized in socio -political and religious information. I have worked more than 10 years in defense of human rights and I have accreditations in journalism and comprehensive communication. Since July 2022, I am a correspondent for ACI Press and Ewtn News in Spain, covering international events of the Catholic Church.