(LifeSiteNews) — The new bishop of Málaga, recently appointed by Pope Leo XIV, is a supporter of blessing same-sex “couples,” thus being one of the many prelates who warmly welcomed such blessings in 2023.
On Friday June 27, the Holy See announced a diocesan shift in Spain. Bishop Jesús Esteban Catalá Ibáñez of the Diocese of Málaga resigned, meaning that Bishop José Antonio Satué Huerto was moved from his former Diocese of Teruel and Albarracín to the Málaga see.
Catalá Ibáñez’s resignation comes a little after his 75th birthday, the milestone at which diocesan bishops submit the formal resignation of their see to the Pope, who then decides how soon to accept it.
The 57-year-old Satué was one of the many prelates who welcomed the controversial text Fiducia Supplicans upon its publication in December 2023. Writing a letter at the time, Satué said the document “helps us appreciate the attitude of those who approach the Church requesting a blessing.”
READ: Spanish bishop laments widespread loss of Catholic faith in his country
Echoing the Vatican’s document, Satué added that such “blessings to couples in irregular situations and to same-sex couples do not equate these unions with marriage, understood by the Church as the ‘exclusive, stable and indissoluble union between a man and a woman.’ In fact, said Declaration, remaining firm in the traditional doctrine on marriage, does not allow ‘any type of liturgical rite or blessing similar to a liturgical rite that could cause confusion.’”
The bishop was by no means alone in Spain. The country’s most prominent cardinal, Cardinal José Cobo of Madrid, moved to quash opposition to Fiducia Supplicans, warning his priests that “we are going to fully apply the Pope’s doctrine” on same-sex “blessings.”
In contrast a number of cardinals warned against the document, with the Vatican’s former doctrine chief Cardinal Gerhard Müller writing that “blessings” of homosexual couples constitute “blasphemy” and that the document is “self-contradictory.”
Spanish outlet InfoVaticana had predicted Satué’s move to Málaga the day before. His nomination to the see is a major change in terms of geographical responsibility. His former diocese was home to just under 90,000 Catholics, while the Málaga diocese counts nearly 1.3 million Catholics.
Málaga, though, is still only a diocese, being one of the five suffragans of the Archdiocese of Granada.
The conservative described the move as less of a notable promotion and instead something of a “consolation prize.” The outlet suggested that Satué had been hoping to receive the more prominent Archdiocese of Barcelona, but this move will prompt that nomination.
Historically Catholic Spain has some 14 provinces, of which the Archdiocese of Barcelona is one. Málaga, though heavily populated, is not of the same prominence.
In contrast, liberal outlet Vida Nueva posited the nomination as a sign of continued good favor from the Vatican: “From an eminently rural diocese of emptied Spain, he now heads to one of the main economic and also ecclesial powers.”
Satué’s hopes for the Barcelona see are also believed to have been linked to his championing by Cardinal Juan José Omella, who is the current holder of the see, and at the age of 79 could be anticipated to step down very soon.
It is also understood by certain sources – including those on the record to The Pillar – that in recent years the future of the Spanish episcopacy has effectively been governed by a key trio rather than by the Dicastery for Bishops and the involvement of the Nuncio. The three bishops are Cardinal Omega, Cardinal Jose Cobo and Satué.
“He will never take public positions against the magisterium, never, but he’s the kind of priest and bishop who never takes an unorthodox position, but allows and encourages others to take them,” a priest told The Pillar about Satué. This is believed to be worked on currently, in order to restore the normal procedure in episcopal appointments.
Satué is also understood to have been quietly favored by the late Pope Francis, another aspect behind his notable climb through the ecclesiastical hierarchy.
In recent years Satué has been tasked with notable assignments, along with having a stint in the Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy and being a current member of the Dicastery for Bishops.
He was given the Gaztelueta case to investigate by Pope Francis – a case involving alleged abuse by a teacher at an Opus Dei school. The teacher professed his innocence, but the Vatican’s investigation led by Satué deemed him guilty. The case was complicated, involving civil and ecclesiastical courts.
On this point too, outlets hold different opinions. The conservative voice of InfoVaticana attests that Satué’s performance in the matter was substandard:
[H]is performance was perceived by many as erratic or ambiguous, and that left his image played in sectors of the Curia.
Meanwhile Vida Nueva praised his involvement in the Gaztelueta investigation and argued that it served as a good mark on his record for the Vatican.
Despite its history, Spain is experiencing a dramatic decline in practice of the Catholic faith. Statista polls showed that in September 2024 some 57.1 percent of Spaniards identified as Catholic, which is down from a high of 73.1 percent in 2013. Of this figure, however, there was no detail given about how many actually practice the faith, attending weekly Mass or adhering to the tenets of the Creed.
Like many aspects of the Church outside the easy glance of the English-speaking Catholic media, Satué and his episcopal career appear much murkier and more involved than is ideal for a diocesan bishop. It remains to be seen what direction he will lead his new diocese of Málaga under Leo XIV’s pontificate.
