In his homily, Satué articulated his message around three key words —humility, coherence, and mission—, but without developing a clear theological or Christocentric depth. A more sociological discourse was perceived —with mentions of synodality, care for creation, and denunciation of injustices— than a homily centered on Christ, grace, and the salvation of souls, which are the essence of the episcopal mission.
This style fits with the progressive sector that in recent years has marked the line of the Church in Spain under the pontificate of Francis: a horizontal language, with abundant social references, but less focused on the fundamental mysteries of the faith.
Satué’s balance in Teruel and Albarracín is also not encouraging: a diocese arid in vocations in which during his tenure barely one seminarian was added, and from another diocese. A difficult fact to gloss over, because the number of vocations continues to be a key measure of the real fruitfulness of a bishop’s ministry. Without priests, there is no future for the local Church.
Now Málaga, land marked by the example of San Manuel González and Cardinal Herrera Oria, expects from its new pastor something more than well-intentioned speeches. The diocese needs doctrinal depth, centrality in Christ, and a clear impetus to vocations, pillars without which any pastoral project becomes mere voluntarism.