Auxiliary Bishop of Madrid Dies Suddenly at 50

Auxiliary Bishop José Antonio Álvarez Sánchez of Madrid, Spain, died suddenly from a heart attack in the early hours of 1 October. He was 50 years old.

Born in the Spanish capital in 1975, Álvarez entered the diocesan seminary and was ordained a priest in 2000. He dedicated much of his ministry to the formation of future priests, serving as rector of Madrid’s seminary from 2015 to 2024.

In April 2024, Pope Francis appointed him as an auxiliary bishop in Madrid. He was said to be the personal choice of Cardinal Cobo, a radical pro-homosexual. The two knew each other from working together at the Spanish Episcopal Conference for Charitable and Social Action.

Soon after the appointment, Cardinal Cobo personally presented his two newly named auxiliaries to Pope Francis (video below).

In February 2025, Cardinal Cobo appointed Monsignor Álvarez as his vicar general.

Requiescat in pace.

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