Following the announcement of the succession in the diocese of Puerto Escondido, on the coast of Oaxaca in the Mexican Pacific, the now apostolic administrator and III bishop emeritus, Florencio Armando Colín Cruz, before the media, shared the expectations of the succession that could take place in November when the new bishop from the clergy of Guadalajara, Héctor López Alvarado, is installed.
Colín Cruz did not hide his emotion before media representatives regarding the event, acknowledging that he «had gotten ahead»; although he submitted his canonical resignation at the age of 75 at the end of October 2025, the rapid acceptance, just days before turning 76 on October 27, was due to the «staggered appointments» that have recently taken place in various dioceses in Mexico; however, the bishop stated that he immediately contacted his successor, whom he described as a young man needed in that area of Oaxaca due to the extreme climates and the great distances to travel from parish to parish.
Accompanied by the vicar general of the diocese of Puerto Escondido, Father Cervantes, a communiqué was read to all the faithful and the people of God, sharing the news of the appointment of the new bishop, who until that moment was an auxiliary of Guadalajara, the archdiocese shepherded by Cardinal José Francisco Robles Ortega.
The apostolic administrator also shared the message he sent via WhatsApp to his successor as a first sign of appreciation and closeness, which was read in detail:
Dear brother,
It is a blessing for your servant to greet you and welcome you today, Tuesday, September 29, 2026, to this, your Diocese of Puerto Escondido.
I am filled with joy to receive you with open arms, certain that the Holy Spirit has chosen you to be, from now on, the shepherd of this local Church.
The Oaxacan coast welcomes you with joy and hope, with its seas, its rivers, its beaches, its bays, as well as its beautiful mountains with their varied flora and multiple species of fauna, including birds, fish, and various species of animals: reptiles, amphibians, wild beasts, and domestic animals; this entire constellation welcomes you, brother Bishop Héctor.
But what would all these wonders be without the beauty of our people, who are the purpose of your presence, of your arrival.
Therefore, we say to you: «Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna in heaven…»
Thus, what a beautiful dawn when, from Rome, Pope Leo outlined your face, and we know that, from now on, there is a new shepherd.
Welcome, Mons. Héctor. This is your new home. We love you, with a fraternal greeting and a warm welcome embrace.
With all my affection, Florencio Armando.
When opening the dialogue with media representatives, Colín Cruz announced that he will continue to live in the diocese of Puerto Escondido, attending to remote communities that have no priests and collaborating with his successor.
Sharing the state of pastoral work, the bishop from the State of Mexico acknowledged that, upon his arrival, that particular church was in a «very deteriorated» situation, which, in twenty years of existence, for example, had not had any pastoral visit to all the parishes and regions.
The numbers represent what has been achieved and highlight his tenure as III bishop: 22 priests who joined a presbyterate that now totals 42 diocesan priests; seven deacons to be ordained priests in October, the complete canonical pastoral visit in 2024 to the parishes and communities of the diocese despite the immense distances from one community to another, especially through the mountains; the proper arrangement of diocesan documentary files that provide legal and canonical guarantees of an adequate archival procedure especially of parish records and the ad limina visit so that the Holy Father could learn firsthand the reality of the diocese; however, he acknowledged the limited progress in the construction of the Cathedral, delayed by the pandemic, highlighting, on the other hand, the creation of eleven new parishes for the diocese, with two new rectorates still pending.
Finally, Bishop Florencio Armando Colín Cruz addressed a message to his successor, reaffirming his closeness to accompany him in his needs; «for now, I plan to stay here» to attend to some very neglected communities, he stated, but «above all, we are preparing your welcome with all our heart».