Bishop Threatens to Resign over Spanish Torreciudad Shrine Dispute
In his homily on 8 September at Barbastro Cathedral, Bishop Ángel Pérez Pueyo, made a veiled but explicit threat to resign if he is forced to accept the agreement presented by a Vatican mediator. Archbishop Alejandro Arellano, dean of the Roman Rota, is expected to rule in favour of Opus Dei.
Bishop Pérez Pueyo said: "If I were forced to accept what I cannot accept, I would repeat the words of the elder Eleazar: 'I cannot do it without defiling and disgracing my old age' in a way that would set a bad example for our faithful."
He added that Francis, who was on his side, would be betrayed: "Pope Francis himself warned me in a letter dated 13 October 2024 to beware of what he called mafia intrigues. I am saying this because he wrote it and it alerts us all."
When asked about his words after the Eucharist, Bishop Pérez Pueyo reaffirmed his strong statement about "mafia intrigues". "Yes, of course, that's what I said," he declared.
The bishop wants to take control of appointing the shrine’s rector.
Opus Dei has refused to relinquish control of the site unless ordered to do so by the Holy See.
In recent weeks, it seemed as though the dispute was approaching a conclusion.
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