Just hours after announcing his succession, Miguel Ángel Alba Díaz passes away, plunging the Diocese of La Paz into mourning
The Diocese of La Paz is in deep mourning following the death of the emeritus bishop Miguel Ángel Alba Díaz, which occurred on the morning of February 2, 2026, just two days after Pope Leo XIV accepted his resignation. The prelate, who had just turned 75 on January 23, passed away coinciding with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, leaving a legacy of close pastoral service, priestly formation, and commitment to peace in a region affected by violence and insecurity.
Miguel Ángel Alba Díaz was born on January 23, 1951, in Monterrey, Nuevo León, in a family that nurtured his vocation from an early age. He entered the Archdiocesan Seminary of Monterrey in 1962, where he completed his studies in sciences and humanities (until 1967), Philosophy (1967-1970), and Theology (1970-1974), complemented by a year of Pastoral Theology. He was ordained a priest on May 31, 1975, in his hometown by Archbishop Adolfo Suárez Rivera.
His first years of ministry focused on formation: parish vicar in the María Reina parish (1975-1977), professor at the Minor Seminary (1977-1979), economus of the Seminary and coordinator of the Institute of Philosophy (1979-1982), and rector of the Archdiocesan Seminary of Monterrey (1982-1995). During this period, he was part of the College of Consultors and the Presbyteral Council, standing out for his intellectual capacity and his role as a formator of generations of priests, with a deep and close pastoral focus.
On June 10, 1995, Pope John Paul II appointed him titular bishop of Fesseë and auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Antequera – Oaxaca. He received episcopal ordination on July 25, 1995. In Oaxaca, he actively participated in the Synod of Bishops for America (1997) in Rome, contributing to the debate on the evangelization of the continent.
On July 16, 2001, John Paul II designated him the third bishop of the Diocese of La Paz, Baja California Sur. He took canonical possession on August 28, 2001, beginning a ministry of nearly 25 years (until January 31, 2026). In La Paz, Alba Díaz was characterized by his closeness to the people: he visited remote communities, promoted peace pilgrimages, fostered synodal dialogue, and raised his voice against violence, disappearances, and drug trafficking, especially during the most difficult years of insecurity (2014-2017). He led the Dimension of Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation in the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM), was a member of the Superior Council of the Pontifical University of Mexico (2004-2006), and represented the ecclesiastical province of Baja California (2007-2009).
His health was affected early on: just one year after arriving in La Paz (2002), he suffered a stroke that marked his trajectory. In recent years, he suffered from severe osteoporosis, which limited his mobility and led him to submit his resignation upon turning 75, which was accepted on January 31, 2026, and on February 1, the new bishop, Miguel Ángel Espinosa Garza, assumed the position. Hours later, on the morning of February 2, Alba Díaz passed away due to health complications while receiving care in intensive therapy.
The CEM expressed its sorrow and hope: “With hope in the resurrection, we announce that our brother has been called to the Father’s House”. Bishop Espinosa Garza remembered him as a pastor who “fulfilled his mission” with generosity, closeness, and witness of faith, emphasizing human fragility and the victory of Christ’s love over death.
The exequial celebrations began immediately after the death, with a peal of bells in all the temples of the diocese on February 2 at 5:00 p.m. The body arrived at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe at 5:00 p.m., where the wake was set up. That same day, Masses were celebrated at 6:00 p.m. (presided over by Bishop Espinosa Garza) and 7:30 p.m. (by the Cathedral Deanery), followed by an overnight wake until dawn.
On Tuesday, February 3, the wake will continue with Masses at 7:00 a.m. (Heart of Mary Deanery), 6:00 p.m. (Saint John the Baptist Deanery), and 7:30 p.m. (Seminary), plus Lauds prayers and open participation of the faithful and parish groups.
On Wednesday, February 4, after morning Masses and wake until 4:00 p.m., the body will be transferred to the Cathedral of Our Lady of La Paz at 4:00 p.m., arriving at 4:30 p.m. for the final wake. The exequial Mass with the body present, presided over by Bishop Espinosa Garza and concelebrated by the diocesan clergy, will be officiated at 18:00 hours**, constituting the central moment of liturgical farewell. His remains rest in the cathedral.
As a sign of unity and continuity, a novena will begin on Thursday, February 5, in the cathedral (starting from the 7:00 p.m. Mass) and in all the parishes of the diocese, allowing the community to pray for his eternal rest.