In his first words, Mons. Martínez Varea expressed his gratitude to Pope Leo XIV “for having placed his trust” in him to guide this portion of the Church, and to his predecessor, Mons. Gerardo Melgar, for “his pastoral care over these recent years and his fraternal welcome.”
The new bishop emphasized that he arrives at the diocese “with a heart disposed to service and communion” and pointed out as a priority “working to foster communion among all the baptized.” He also warned of the challenges facing the diocese: dechristianization, the aging of communities, and the loss of transcendent meaning, while encouraging that “every parish, every family, every young person, and every priest” be living witnesses to the Gospel.
During the Mass marking the beginning of his episcopal ministry, Mons. Martínez structured his homily around three spiritual keys: remaining in Christ like the branches on the vine, being “living stones” that build the Church, and caring for the flock in the example of the Good Shepherd. He also recalled saintly figures linked to the diocese, such as Saint Thomas of Villanueva, Saint John of Ávila, Saint John Baptist of the Conception, and the Blessed Narciso Estenaga.
Although the celebration had great solemnity and a marked historical character for the diocese, it was decided not to use the Canon Romano in the Eucharistic Prayer, a striking detail.
A young diocese with deep roots
The diocese of Ciudad Real was erected in 1980 by Saint John Paul II, from the historic priory of the Military Orders of Santiago, Calatrava, Alcántara, and Montesa, whose spiritual leadership corresponds to the bishop of Ciudad Real as prior. It currently has more than 500 parishes and an intense ecclesial tradition linked to these orders.
The patroness of the diocese and the city is Our Lady of the Prado, deeply venerated by the faithful of La Mancha. In addition, from this land have emerged prominent figures of sanctity:
- Saint Thomas of Villanueva, Augustinian archbishop and model pastor dedicated to the poor.
- Saint John of Ávila, Doctor of the Church and patron of the secular Spanish clergy.
- Saint John Baptist of the Conception, reformer of the Trinitarian Order.
- Blessed Narciso Estenaga, bishop of Ciudad Real, martyr during the religious persecution of the 20th century.
A native of Autol (La Rioja), born in 1964 and ordained a priest in 1989, Mons. Abilio Martínez Varea was bishop of Osma-Soria from 2017 until his transfer to Ciudad Real. He now assumes the pastoral care of this young diocese, but heir to a rich tradition of faith and martyrdom, with the challenge of strengthening Christian life in times of secularization.