The Diocese of Málaga has published a new decree of appointments affecting dozens of priests. The parishes of La Victoria, San Pablo, and Santiago Apóstol are the temples with the most significant changes.
The Diocese of Málaga has made a move on July 19 with a decree that reorganises priestly activity in the diocese. Signed by Bishop José Antonio Satué, the document affects dozens of priests, with particular emphasis on three historic parishes in the capital.
La Victoria, San Pablo, and Santiago, the major changes
The most significant change occurs in the parish of Santa María de la Victoria, linked to the Patroness of Málaga. José López Solórzano takes over the parish and the role of rector of the Basilica and Royal Sanctuary, a temple deeply rooted in popular religiosity. The new parish priest will need to balance daily attention to parishioners with the management of this emblematic space.
In San Pablo, José Luis Bellón Márquez continues at the helm, but now combines his work with the parish of Nuestra Señora de Fátima. Both communities are a point of reference for the neighbourhood, according to diocesan sources.
The third highlighted change arrives at Santiago Apóstol, one of the most historic temples in Málaga. Salvador Guerrero Cuevas becomes the new parish priest, in a move aimed at revitalising parish life in the historic centre.
More than a dozen movements in the capital
The reorganisation is not limited to these three temples. In total, the capital sees 15 appointments. Among them, Antonio Javier Castilla Delgado moves to Nuestra Señora de los Remedios; José García Macías to the Visitación de Nuestra Señora; José Antonio García Carrasco to San José Obrero; and José Manuel Llamas Fortes to El Salvador. There are also changes for Vicente de la Torre Andueza, who takes on the Santísima Trinidad, and Isidro Calderón Almendros, the new parish priest of the Santos Mártires Ciriaco and Paula and San Juan.
These movements aim to meet the needs of each community and adjust the priestly teams to the reality of each area, from urban centres to the most peripheral neighbourhoods.
The Axarquía, the Serranía, and the Coast also renewed
The decree goes far beyond the capital. In the Axarquía, there are five appointments, including Manuel Arteaga Serrano, who will be the parish priest of San Miguel (Nerja) and San Antonio de Padua (Frigiliana). In the Serranía and the Costa del Sol, the changes affect Estepona, Manilva, Casares, and Ronda. Notably, Francisco Antonio Sánchez Sánchez becomes the parish priest in solidum and moderator of Santa María la Mayor and Espíritu Santo, alongside Fernando Eningo Patabobe. The term "in solidum" means that several priests share the responsibility of the same parish.
The vicarage of the Interior is also renewed, with appointments in Cártama, Antequera, Archidona, Álora, Alhaurín el Grande, Coín, and Monda, among other municipalities. In Melilla, José Luis Pastor González, Daniel Gutiérrez Santiago, and Antonio Sosa Mateos take on the main parishes of the autonomous city.
New diocesan delegations
The decree also includes changes in several delegations. Antonia Delgado Doncel will be the episcopal delegate for Health Pastoral; Samuel Medina Claros takes on University Pastoral; and Antonio Muñoz Varo will lead the Lay Apostolate. In the Media Communication delegation, the new head is Fernando Ortega Durán, while Miguel Ángel Gamero Pérez will be in charge of Cultural Heritage of the Church.
This movement adds to another package of appointments published on June 12 and comes weeks before the diocese begins to prepare the next Pastoral Plan 2028-2033. With this reorganisation, the Diocese aims to meet the needs of each parish and adjust the teams to the reality of each area, from the urban centres of the capital to the smaller municipalities in the interior and along the coast.
The faithful of Málaga can consult the changes on the Diocese's website or on the notice boards of each parish. The new appointments will come into effect in the coming weeks, according to the diocese.
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