Antonio Montañés Chiquero, diocesan priest born in 1870, was the parish priest of Santa María la Mayor in Alcalá la Real (Jaén) until his martyrdom on September 12, 1936. At 66 years of age, this shepherd remained faithful to his ministry during one of the most turbulent times, refusing to flee despite the risk. His priestly dedication and his death out of hatred for the faith have now been recognized by the Church, which will beatify him in Jaén along with 123 other martyrs from Jaén.
Ordained in 1893, Antonio Montañés carried out his pastoral work in several parishes in Jaén over more than four decades. He was finally appointed parish priest of the Iglesia Mayor in Alcalá la Real, where the Civil War caught up with him. In the summer of 1936, after the outbreak of religious persecution, he decided to remain with his parishioners. Like so many priests from Jaén, he did not want to abandon his parish despite the growing threats. His presence and spiritual consolation were a support for the faithful during those weeks of uncertainty.
The fidelity of Father Montañés had a tragic outcome when the militias of the Popular Front took Alcalá la Real. On September 12, 1936, the parish priest was arrested by the revolutionaries. He was offered the possibility of saving his life in exchange for renouncing his faith or simply hiding, but Antonio chose to remain firm in his vocation. He was shot that same day, along with other local clerics, after a mock summary trial. Testimonies indicate that he faced death with Christian fortitude, forgiving those who executed him.
The beatification cause of the martyrs of Jaén bears the name of Antonio Montañés Chiquero as one of its main references. This fact underscores the importance of his figure: representative of so many parish priests who continued caring for their people in the midst of the storm of hatred. His elevation to the altars is a recognition of the unlimited pastoral dedication and the absolute fidelity to the Gospel. In the memory of the diocese remains his example: a humble and brave priest, who died for Christ and whose last gestures were of service and unwavering faith.