The Holy Father has accepted today, June 29, 2024, the resignation from the pastoral government of the diocese of Mérida-Badajoz presented by Monsignor Celso Morga Iruzubieta. From this moment on, according to the Code of Canon Law, He is succeeded by Bishop José Rodríguez Carballo, OFMwhich was appointed coadjutor archbishop of this diocese on September 14, 2023 and took office on November 25. This was announced by the Apostolic Nunciature to the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE).
Mons. Morga Iruzubieta, archbishop of Mérida-Badajoz since 2015
Monsignor Celso Morga Born in Huércanos, La Rioja, on January 28, 1948He completed his ecclesiastical studies at the diocesan seminary of Logroño and He was ordained a priest on June 24, 1972He studied for a degree in Canon Law at the University of Navarra, where he obtained his doctorate in 1978.
Celso Morga carried out his pastoral work in various parishes in La Rioja and was deputy judicial vicar of the Diocesan Court between 1974 and 1980. That year he moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to teach Canon Law at the Archdiocesan Seminary. He also served as a judge in the Ecclesiastical Court and as chaplain of a religious college.
Upon his return to Spain in 1984, he was appointed parish priest of San Miguel, in Logroño, and In 1987 he was called to Rome to work at the Congregation for the Clergy, the Vatican dicastery that deals with matters relating to the life and ministry of 400,000 Catholic priests around the world.. There he has worked as head of Section and, since November 2009, as undersecretary, a position he held until his appointment as secretary and titular archbishop of Alba Marítima, being ordained bishop by the Pope. Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Basilica on February 5, 2011.
In addition to his responsibility in the Roman Curia, Bishop Celso Morga has carried out intense pastoral work in various parishes in the Italian capital, including the parish of the Holy Roman Protomartyrs. He is the author of some books on spiritual theology and has published several works on the life and ministry of priests, in L’Osservatore Romano and other magazines.
On October 8, 2014 his was made public appointment as coadjutor archbishop of Mérida-Badajoz. He took office on November 15. He has been titular archbishop of this see since May 21, 2015, date on which Pope Francis accepted the resignation presented by Bishop Santiago García Aracil.
In the Spanish Episcopal Conference it is member of the Episcopal Commission for the Clergy and Seminaries. She has been a member of the Permanent Commission representing the ecclesiastical province of Mérida-Badajoz since 2015.
