The historic cathedral of Tui was the scene of the episcopal ordination of Monsignor Antonio Valín Valdés, a ceremony that had not been celebrated since 1910. The event, which took place this morning, brought together more than 600 guests, including civil, military and religious authorities.
On May 25, the Apostolic Nunciature in Spain announced that Pope Francis appointed Antonio Valín Valdés, 56 years old and originally from Ribadeo, as the new bishop of the diocese of Tui-Vigo. Valín Valdés had previously served as vicar general of the diocese of Mondoñedo-Ferrol.
This appointment occurred after the acceptance of the resignation of Monsignor Luis Quinteiro, who had submitted his resignation on June 26, 2022, upon reaching the age of 75, as stipulated by the Code of Canon Law. Monsignor Quinteiro will continue as apostolic administrator of the diocese until the transition is complete.
The solemn episcopal ordination ceremony was presided over by Monsignor Francisco José Prieto, archbishop of Santiago de Compostela. Monsignor Bernardito Cleopas Auza, apostolic nuncio in Spain, and Monsignor Luis Ángel de las Heras Berzal, bishop of León, participated as co-consecrators.
The highlight of the ceremony was the consecration of Monsignor Valín Valdés, which began with a homily from the archbishop of Santiago. During the ritual, Valín Valdés was examined about his faith and answered affirmatively to each question. Afterward, he prostrated himself on the ground while the other bishops sang litanies and laid their hands on him in silence.
Among those attending the event, which had not been held in more than a century, were more than 600 people, including civil, military and religious authorities, as well as numerous faithful. Although the morning began with a light rain, the weather improved and allowed the ceremony to take place in the cloister and atrium of the cathedral.
The last episcopal ordination in Tui Cathedral was that of Monsignor Manuel Lago González in 1910, who later became archbishop of Santiago de Compostela. The new bishop Valín Valdés will preside tomorrow, July 21, at a seasonal mass in the co-cathedral-basilica of Vigo at 6:00 p.m.
Biography of Monsignor Antonio Valín Valdés
Antonio José Valín Valdés was born in Ribadeo (Lugo) on February 24, 1968. He entered the diocesan theology in Santiago de Compostela in October 1986, completing his studies at the Compostela Theological Institute from 1986 to 1992. He was ordained priest in the Mondoñedo cathedral on March 14, 1993. He has a bachelor’s degree in Theology and a Master’s degree in Christian Communication.
His priestly ministry developed in the diocese of Mondoñedo-Ferrol, where he held several positions: trainer and professor at the Mondoñedo seminary (1992-1999); subdelegate of Youth Ministry in Ferrol (1999); director of the university residence of the Domus Ecclesiae of Ferrol (2000); rector of the minor seminary of Mondoñedo (2001); diocesan delegate of Vocational Ministry (2002); spiritual director of the major seminary (2006); archpriest of Terra Chá (2006-2009); episcopal delegate of Pastoral Care for Children and Youth (2007); spiritual director of the major and minor seminary (2011); archpriest of Mondoñedo (2012, 2016, 2019); Pastoral Secretary (2015-2016); delegate Jubilee Year of Mercy (2015); trainer of diocesan minor seminarians (2019); and episcopal vicar for Evangelization (2017). In addition, he was a professor at the “San Agustín” Higher School of Religious Sciences and the Diocesan School of Theology.
Valín Valdés began his pastoral activity in the parish of Santa María a Maior de San Sadurniño, where he was parish priest between 1999 and 2001. Between 2007 and 2012, he was part of the priestly team of Vilalba-Abadín-Xermade. Later, he was parish priest of Santiago de Foz and other parishes in the area, from 2012 to 2019.
He was also a member of the Vocational Pastoral delegation and the Viveiro COV; of the Presbyteral Council; of the College of Consultants; of the Diocesan Government Council; and the Pastoral Council. In 2018, he was appointed canon of the Cathedral of Mondoñedo and diocesan administrator of Mondoñedo-Ferrol in a vacant see from December 21, 2020, to September 4, 2021. Until July 2024, he was parish priest in solidum and moderator of the UPA of Foz since 2019, and vicar general and moderator of the Curia since 2021.
One of the many attendees at this emotional ceremony is Mr. Rafael Villena as Commercial delegate for Galicia of the company Coral memorial, a leading company in the sector of columbariums in sacred temples, more than 75 facilities throughout Spain support business growth and begin expansion international with the recent openings of delegations in Portugal and Brazil.
