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EXCMO. AND RVDMO. SR. MR. JOSÉ ÁNGEL SAIZ MENESES, ARCHBISHOP OF SEVILLE
Monsignor José Ángel Saiz Meneses was appointed by Pope Francis as Metropolitan Archbishop of Seville on April 17, 2021, beginning his ministry in Seville on June 12, 2021.
Born in Sisante (Cuenca) on August 2, 1956; the family moved to Barcelona in 1965.
He entered the Minor Seminary of Our Lady of Montalegre in Barcelona in 1968. Later on, he studied Psychology at the University of Barcelona between 1975 and 1977. Later, he studied Philosophy, Spirituality and Theology at the Major Seminary of Toledo (1977-1984) and obtained a Licentiate in Ecclesiastical Studies from the Faculty of Theology of Northern Spain in Burgos. He was ordained a priest by Cardinal Marcelo González Martín in the Primate Cathedral of Toledo on July 15, 1984.
In 1993, he obtained a degree in Theology from the Faculty of Theology of Catalonia with the dissertation: “Genesis and theology of the Cursillo de Cristiandad“, a movement in which he has actively participated since he was young and in which he has held various pastoral assignments. He completed his doctoral studies at the same Faculty of Theology.
On October 30, 2001, he was named titular bishop of Selemsele and auxiliary bishop of Barcelona by St. John Paul II, receiving his episcopal ordination on December 15 of the same year in the Cathedral of Barcelona.
Pastoral positions
In the Archdiocese of Toledo he had several assignments: first, parish priest in Los Alares and Anchuras de los Montes (1984-1985); in the following year (1985-1986) he did his military service as a soldier-presbyter in the Military Hospital of Valladolid; upon his return, he was appointed parochial vicar of Illescas (1986-1989). Among other services performed in Toledo, he was also the zone councilor of the Teams of Our Lady (1986-1989), zone councilor of the Movement of Christian Teachers and Professors (1986-1989) and religion teacher at the La Sagra- Ntra. Sra. de las Mercedes, of Illescas (1986-1989).
In 1989 he joined the Archdiocese of Barcelona and was appointed vicar in the parish of Sant Andreu del Palomar, and in 1992 parish priest of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, in Cerdanyola del Vallès, and responsible for the University Pastoral at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Also in 1992 he was appointed head of the SAFOR (Service of Religious Assistance and Formation) of the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Head of the CCUC (Christian Center for University Students of Cerdanyola del Vallès). In 1995 he was appointed Diocesan Consiliary of the Cursillos in Christianity Movement.
On May 6, 2000, he was appointed Secretary General and Chancellor of the Archbishopric of Barcelona and on April 10, 2001, a member of the College of Consultors of the same archdiocese.
On June 15, 2004, he was named the first bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Terrassa and Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Barcelona and the new diocese of Sant Feliu de Llobregat. On July 25 he took solemn possession in the Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Spirit in Terrassa.
Publications
José Ángel Saiz Meneses He has published three books:
- The Cursillos in Christianity. Genesis and Theologya Madrid, BAC, 2018, third edition.
Paddle out to sea
(2008).- Pilgrims and apostles. Notes for a spirituality of the Cursillos in Christianity Movement. (2018).
He has also published seven Pastoral Letters:
- Witnesses of Jesus Christ in the society of the 21st century (2007).
- Mother of God and Our Mother (2008).
- The Joy of the Priesthood (2009).
- Youth Ministry and Vocational Ministry in light of WYD (2012).
- A Samaritan Church for a time of crisis (2015).
- See, I make all things new [Rev 21:5] (2022).
- “Do not be afraid” (2023) Archdiocese of Seville
He has lectured all over the world and has written a wide variety of articles for magazines, journals, newsletters, etc.
Other information of interest
Spanish Bishops’ Conference
Msgr. Saiz Meneses is a member of the EEC Executive Committee, a position to which he was elected on March 3, 2020. He is also a member of the Standing Committee. He was head of the Youth Department of the Secular Apostolate Commission (2002-2008); member of the Catechesis and Teaching Commission (2002-2005); of the Consecrated Life Commission (2005-2008); President of the Seminaries and Universities Commission (2008-2014) and head of the Prison Pastoral Department of the Episcopal Commission for Social Pastoral (2014-2020).
Since 2021, he has presided over the Assembly of the Bishops of the South.
In 2017, he was appointed National Consiliary of the Cursillos in Christianity Movement. He has been Spiritual Advisor to the European Group of the Cursillo Movement. At the IX World Encounter of Cursillos in Christianity, held in Monterrey, Mexico, June 1-4, 2023, he was elected Spiritual Advisor of the World Organization of the Cursillos in Christianity Movement. He is also president of the Board of Trustees of the Sebastián Gayá Foundation, whose objective is to safeguard the memory and legacy of Don Sebastián Gayá and to guarantee fidelity to his teaching, especially in relation to the Cursillos in Christianity Movement.
Vatican Dicasteries
Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Saiz Meneses as a member of the following dicasteries:
Member of the Vatican Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints
(April 30, 2022).- Member of the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life (November 25, 2023).