Vatican: Pope Francis appoints Franciscan new bishop of Huaraz in Peru

Pope Francis appointed the Capuchin Franciscan priest Fr. José Antonio Alarcón Gómez new Bishop of Huaraz, in the Andean region of Peru, who until now served as superior of the San Pedro community and parochial vicar of San Pedro in the Lima district of Chorrillos .

The bishop-elect succeeds Bishop José Eduardo Velásquez Tarazona (77), whose resignation was accepted by the Holy Father after having exceeded the retirement age of bishops of 75 years.

Who is José Antonio Alarcón Gómez, elected bishop of Huaraz?

Bishop José Antonio Alarcón Gómez is a Capuchin Franciscan priest who has just been elected bishop of Huaraz. He was born on February 28, 1965 in the Chorrillos district in Lima, the capital of Peru. He is 59 years old.

As reported by the Vatican Press Officeentered the community of the Capuchin Friars Minor, where he made his perpetual profession on October 4, 1990.

He obtained a degree in Theology at the Santa María Catholic University of Arequipa. He was ordained a priest on July 30, 1993.

He has held, among others, the following positions: parish priest of the Virgin Immaculate Conception in Orcopampa (Arequipa) and trainer in the Postulancy (1995-1998); treasurer of the province of the Capuchin Fathers of Peru (1999-2002); and parish priest of San Pedro, Chorrillos, Lima (2003).

He was provincial of the Capuchins in two periods (2004-2008 and 2011-2017); higher education in Arequipa of the Student Body (2008-2011); parish priest of San Francisco in the city of Huánuco; moderator of the Curia of Huánuco, treasurer of the diocese and episcopal vicar for consecrated life (2017-2019).

Since 2020 he has been superior of the Capuchin Fathers community and since 2024 he has been parochial vicar of San Pedro, in the Lima district of Chorrillos.