The Pope appointed new auxiliary bishops of the Lisbon Patriarchate

This Friday, Pope Francis appointed priests Nuno Isidro and Alexandre Palma as two new auxiliary bishops of the Lisbon Patriarchate, the diocese said in a statement.

The new bishops are members of the Presbytery of Lisbon and belong to the training group of the Seminario Mayor de Cristo Rey dos Olivais, according to a statement from the Lisbon Patriarchate, adding that the episcopal consecration will take place on July 21, Sunday. , at 16:00, at the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon.

Nuno Isidro Nunez Cordeiro, 59, has been Vicar General of the Patriarchate since 2011 and spiritual director of the Seminary of dos Olivais since 2017, and is also a member of the Presbyteral Council.

Alexandre Coutinho Lopez de Brito Palma, 45, teaches at the Catholic University of Portugal, where he is associate professor and deputy director of the Faculty of Theology. Since 2012, he has also been Prefect of the Seminário dos Olivais and is part of the Presbyterial Council for the election of the Patriarch of Lisbon.

Patriarch Rui Valeriu of Lisbon, in his greeting published this Friday, emphasizes that the two new auxiliary bishops are “devoted shepherds and close to the holy people of God” who bring to the diocese “the stamp of their calling of ministry.” to Christ and the Church.”

“Each of the new auxiliary bishops combines exceptional qualities that will enrich the Christian path of parishes, communities and all the social, cultural and human realities of the Patriarchate,” adds Rui Valerio.

The Patriarch also expresses his gratitude to Pope Francis for these appointments, which is a sign of the “constant care he provides” for the Lisbon Patriarchate.

“After the enthusiasm that World Youth Day has brought to our diocese, here he appoints two workers so that in this vineyard of the Lord we achieve the fullness of the measures and criteria of Jesus Christ,” he states in his greeting. .

Nuno Isidro said this Friday that he accepted the position as a “gift for service” and not “as a human honor.”

The new bishop comes from A dos Cunhados, municipality of Torres Vedras, and was ordained a priest on July 1, 1990.

“I will certainly not live up to the expectations regarding my personality to govern this part of God’s people, but I will strive above all to be the presence of God’s love for every person, in obedience to Christ’s commission,” the new bishop says in his message this Friday announced after his appointment became known.

Also in a message published this Friday, Alexandre Palma, a native of Lisbon, says he intends to “give a joyful, uncomplicated, attractive testimony (…) of faith” and contribute to building a “more just society.”

The current prefect of the Major Seminary of Christ the King, Olivais, holds a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He is also Deputy Director and Coordinator for International Relations and Member of the Academic Council of the Faculty of Theology of the Portuguese Catholic University, as well as Director and Researcher of the Center for Research in Theology and Religious Studies (CITER) of the above-mentioned Faculty. .

Alexandre Palma was appointed on May 31 as the new president of the World Youth Day Foundation 2023, replacing Cardinal Américo Aguiar in the post from July next year.

In addition to these two new auxiliary bishops, Bishop Joaquim Mendez also remains in office.

Until October 2023, the Patriarchate was considered an auxiliary bishop together with the current Bishop of Setubal, Cardinal Américo Aguiar.