Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on 11 April 2007 appointed Fr. Santiago Agrelo Martínez, O.F.M., Metropolitan Archbishop of Tangiers (Morocco). The Bishop elect was until now Professor at Compostela Institute of Theology and parish priest in rural parishes.
Fr. Santiago Agrelo Martínez, O.F.M., was born on 20 June 1942. He entered the Franciscan minor seminary at Herbón-Padrón (Coruña) and then studied philosophy and theology at the Franciscan seminary in Ponteareas (Pontevedra) and the Pontifical University of Salamanca. He specialised for a doctorate in Liturgy at the college of St Anselmo in Rome. He made his solemn vows as a member of the Order of Friars Minor of the Province of Santiago de Compostela on 23 December 1963. he was ordained a priest in Salamanca on 13 August 1966. For several years he taught Liturgy at the Antonianum College in Rome. Since 1986, he has taught liturgy and spiritual theology at the theology seminary at Santiago de Compostela. He has been spiritual director of the Franciscan minor seminary Herbón; Maestro-formator in Santiago; Provincial secretary; provincial Definitor; provincial vicar; Moderator for ongoing formation; Visitor General of the Franciscan province of Portugal and the Pontifical Antonianum College in Rome; bursar of the province of Santiago; until now he has been parish priest in a number of rural parishes.
The Archdiocese of Tangiers, immediately under the Holy See, was created in 1956, however Christians have been present in North Africa since the 2nd century. The archdiocese has an area of 28,000 sq km and a population of 4,200.000 including 2,000 Catholics (0,04%) gathered in 7 parishes, assisted by 9 priests 9 (2 diocesan and 7 Franciscans), helped by 84 women religious of 12 different congregations. There is a community of 5 enclosed discalced Carmelite nuns. There are also 2 consecrated lay women members of the Focolari Movement who work with young people. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 11/4/2007; Righe 23; Parole 307)
