Pope Francis has appointed the dean of the Roman Rota Tribunal
as pontifical commissioner to address the conflict between Opus Dei and the Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón over the “Torreciudad complex” in Spain
The Holy See Press Office announced the appointment on Oct. 9, after the bishop of Barbastro-Monzón, Ángel Pérez Pueyo, indicated last month that he had requested the Vatican’s intervention
The Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón added that it “has full confidence in achieving with this intervention the resolution of this matter
which constitutes an opportunity to regularize the status of Torreciudad and erect it
In addition, in another statement
the diocese in Huesca province added that it “appreciates the prompt response to its request
reiterates its absolute confidence in the resolutions of the Holy See
and places itself at the disposal of the pontifical commissioner
with whom it will collaborate in everything that is necessary.”
Alejandro Arellano Cedillo is originally from the town of Olías del Rey in the Archdiocese of Toledo
he studied at the San Ildefonso Theological Institute in Toledo and was ordained a priest in 1987
A member of the Confraternity of Workers of the Kingdom of Christ
Arellano holds a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome
a degree in ecclesiastical studies from the Burgos School of Theology
and is an auditor of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints
Arellano was appointed dean of the apostolic tribunal of the Roman Rota
where he had served as a consultant since 2007
He is the first Spaniard to be given this responsibility in one of the main judicial bodies of the Holy See
established in the 14th century and whose functions are defined in the Code of Canon Law (Canons 1443 and 1444)
The pontifical commissioner for resolving the conflict over Torreciudad has served as auditor of the rota of the apostolic nunciature in Spain
professor at the San Pablo CEU University and the San Dámaso Ecclesiastical University
as well as at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome
he teaches jurisprudence at the Rota’s school of the apostolic tribunal of the Roman Rota
presided over the celebration of the episcopal consecration of Arellano in the primate cathedral of Toledo
after Pope Francis named him titular bishop of Bisuldino
granting him the personal title of archbishop
The so-called Torreciudad Shrine was erected in 1975 in accordance with the canonical legislation of its time as a “semi-public oratory” and with the impetus of the Prelature of Opus Dei
was closely connected to the Marian devotion at the place
the Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón agreed in 1962 to an emphyteutic lease (in perpetuity) on the original chapel and annexes
as well as on the image of Our Lady of the Angels
The agreement was signed with a business in the name of a full member of Opus Dei
the canonical foundation Our Lady of the Angels of Torreciudad was established
the Opus Dei prelature proposed to Pérez to put in the place of the original contract by mutual agreement a new one to achieve
the canonical constitution of the place as a diocesan shrine
Four years later, after numerous conversations between the parties, the Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón informed the prelature that it had terminated the original contract as it was completely null and void
for noncompliance with the conditions stipulated in the aforementioned contract,” giving six months for the image of the Virgin to be returned to the original chapel and the transfer of “the chapel
Tensions between the two institutions have been growing since then
An example of this was the appointment for the first time in July 2023 of a new rector of Torreciudad who was not a member of Opus Dei
the diocese threatened to take the matter to civil courts
In September 2023, the bishop of Barbastro-Monzón announced his willingness to elevate the controversy to higher authorities: “We are open to the competent ecclesiastical authority settling the situation if they are really not satisfied with the arguments presented,” he said in a letter
Pérez followed up on his intention declared a year ago and now the Holy See has responded with the appointment of Arellano
In 2025, the Torreciudad complex will celebrate 50 years since its inauguration. In that time, it has become an important center of Marian devotion and pilgrimage, especially for families.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA
Nicolás de Cárdenas is a Spanish journalist specialized in socio-religious information
He has also worked for national and international civil associations
Since July 2022 he has been a correspondent for ACI Prensa in Spain
Bishop Alejandro Arellano Cedillo appointed Pontifical Commissioner for the Torreciudad complex
The Pope has appointed Monsignor Alejandro Arellano Cedillo
current dean of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota
as Pontifical Commissioner Plenipotentiary and delegate of the Holy See for the Torreciudad complex
an important Marian shrine dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels
which was inaugurated in 1975 on the initiative of Opus Dei
This news was communicated today by the Vatican Press Office
The Pope’s decision comes at a time when the Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón
has requested the intervention of the Holy See to resolve the existing differences with the Prelature of Opus Dei about the legal
and pastoral regularization of the Torreciudad complex
Both institutions have expressed their confidence that the Holy See will be able to reach a satisfactory solution
Bishop Alejandro Arellano Cedillo was born on June 8
in Toledo by the Brotherhood of Priests Workers of the Kingdom of Christ
Arellano Cedillo holds a Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome
such as deputy judicial vicar in the Archdiocese of Madrid and judge of the Tribunal of the Rota at the Apostolic Nunciature in Spain
he has served as auditor prelate of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota
he was appointed dean of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota by Pope Francis
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The dean of the Roman Rota, Bishop Alejandro Arellano Cedillo, will be in charge of studying and resolving the conflict between the Opus Dei prelature and the Bishop of Barbastro in relation to Torreciudad
The Pope greets Bishop Alejandro Arellano Cedillo during an audience ©OSV
The figure of "pontifical commissary plenipotentiary" refers to a delegate of the Pope who has the authority to act on his behalf in specific matters
This Commissary has full powers to make decisions and take actions in the ecclesiastical and administrative fields
This type of commissary is appointed by the Pope and his function can cover both judicial and executive aspects within the Church
In response to the news of the appointment
the Prelature of Opus Dei has stated that "the authorities of the Prelature will be at the total disposition of Bishop Arellano
with filial adherence to the Holy Father" while
the diocese of Barbastrina insists that "it has full confidence in reaching with this intervention the resolution of this matter that constitutes an opportunity to regularize the status of Torreciudad and to erect it
The recently appointed Pontifical Commissioner Plenipotentiary for Torreciudad
Monsignor Alejandro Arellano Cedillo is Spanish
Bishop Arellano is a member of the Priestly Confraternity of the Operators of the Kingdom of Christ
He completed his ecclesiastical studies at the San Ildefonso Theological Institute and obtained a degree in Ecclesiastical Studies from the Faculty of Theology of Northern Spain
He then moved to Rome to study for a licentiate and doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University
He has served as Adjunct Judicial Vicar in the Archdiocese of Madrid and diocesan judge in the dioceses of Toledo and Getafe
He was Magistrate of the Tribunal de Rota of the Apostolic Nunciature in Spain and in 2007
Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Prelate Auditor of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota
In 2021 he was appointed dean of the Roman Rota Tribunal by Pope Francis and in the same year was appointed as president of the Court of Appeals of the State of the Vatican City
He is also a consultor to the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and a consultor to the Dicastery for the Clergy, to which Opus Dei has belonged since it was so decided by the Motu Proprio Ad charisma tuendum
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The legendary techno DJ and producer, Jeff Mills
cancelled a gig in the middle of a set after being hit by a bottle thrown from the crowd at Spanish club Area 42
The incident occured in the early hours of Sunday morning at the opening of the new venue in Olías Del Rey
It’s not known if the veteran Dj was hurt and he’s yet to put out a statement
but the Spanish night club expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation through their official Facebook profile:
when all we enjoyed what was being the beginning of season dreamed
We can’t understand how someone can visit a place where the only aim is to enjoy yourself
This isn’t the first time Jeff Mills has been involved in an incident like this
was struck in the head by a drink thrown from the crowd during a show at Atlantico in Rome
Read club Area 42’s full statement on the incident below:
Cuando anunciamos nuestro inicio de temporada
Posted by Area 42 on Sunday, October 16, 2016