Metropolitan Archdiocese of Asunción, Paraguay 🇵🇾

Present Prelates

Metropolitan Archbishop (2022.02.17 – ...):

Cardinal Adalberto Martínez Flores (75)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Giovanni a Porta Latina

Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate of Paraguay (Paraguay)

Auxiliary Bishop (2026.08.28 – ...):

Bishop Gabriel Narciso Escobar Ayala, S.D.B. (55)

Titular Bishop of Media

Monsignors (8)

Ordinaries

Metropolitan Archbishops of Asunción (Roman Rite)

Cardinal Adalberto Martínez Flores (75)
(2022.02.17 – ...)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Giovanni a Porta Latina
Metropolitan Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay)
Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate of Paraguay (Paraguay)

Que todos sean uno

Born:	1951.07.08 (Asunción, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1985.08.24
Consecrated Bishop:	1997.11.08
Created Cardinal:	2022.08.27

Priest of Saint Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands) (1985.08.24 – 1994)

Priest of Asunción (Paraguay) (1994 – 1997.08.14)

Titular Bishop of Tatilti (1997.08.14 – 2000.05.18)

Auxiliary Bishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (1997.08.14 – 2000.05.18)

Bishop of San Lorenzo (Paraguay) (2000.05.18 – 2007.02.19)

General Secretary of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (2005 – 2011)

Bishop of San Pedro (Paraguay) (2007.02.19 – 2012.03.14)

General Secretary of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (2011.11 – 2015.11.03)

Military Ordinary of Paraguay (Paraguay) (2012.03.14 – 2018.06.23)

Bishop of Villarrica (Paraguay) (2018.06.23 – 2022.02.17)

Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate of Paraguay (Paraguay) (2018.06.23 – ...)

President of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (2018.11.09 – 2024.11.06)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (2022.02.17 – ...)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Giovanni a Porta Latina (2022.08.27 [2022.12.07] – ...)

Archbishop Edmundo Ponciano Valenzuela Mellid, S.D.B. (81)
(2014.11.06 – 2022.02.17)

Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Asunción (Paraguay)

Al Padre, por Cristo en el Espíritu

Born:	1944.11.19 (Villarrica del Espíritu Santo, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1971.04.03
Consecrated Bishop:	2006.04.22

Titular Bishop of Uzalis (2006.02.13 – 2011.11.08)

Vicar Apostolic of Chaco Paraguayo (Paraguay) (2006.02.13 – 2011.11.08)

Vice-President of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (2011.11 – 2015.11.03)

Coadjutor Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (2011.11.08 – 2014.11.06)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (2014.11.06 – 2022.02.17)

President of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (2015.11.03 – 2018.11.09)

Archbishop Eustaquio Pastor Cuquejo Verga, C.SS.R.
(2002.06.15 – 2014.11.06)

Paz a vosotros

Born:	1939.09.20 (San Estanislao, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1964.06.21
Consecrated Bishop:	1982.08.15
Died:	2023.08.22 (Asunción, Paraguay † 83)

Titular Bishop of Budua (1982.06.27 – 1990.04.19)

Auxiliary Bishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (1982.06.27 – 1990.04.19)

Bishop-Prelate of Alto Paraná (Paraguay) (1990.04.19 – 1992.05.05)

Titular Bishop of Ofena (1992.05.05 – 1998.03.07)

Military Ordinary of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1992.05.05 – 2002.06.15)

General Secretary of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (1994 – 2002)

Apostolic Administrator of Caacupé (Paraguay) (1994.11 – 1995.06.03)

Apostolic Administrator of Alto Paraná (Paraguay) (2000.02 – 2001.02.03)

Vice-President of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (2002 – 2008)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (2002.06.15 – 2014.11.06)

President of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (2008 – 2011)

Archbishop Felipe Santiago Benítez Ávalos
(1989.05.20 – 2002.06.15)

Anunciare tu nombre a mis hermanos

Born:	1926.05.01 (Piribebuy, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1952.06.07
Consecrated Bishop:	1961.09.24
Died:	2009.03.19 († 82)

Priest of Asunción (Paraguay) (1952.06.07 – 1961.08.10)

Titular Bishop of Chersonesus in Europa (1961.08.10 – 1965.12.04)

Auxiliary Bishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (1961.08.10 – 1965.12.04)

General Secretary of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (1965 – 1969)

Bishop of Villarrica (Paraguay) (1965.12.04 – 1989.05.20)

President of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (1973 – 1985)

First Vice-President of Latin American Episcopal Council (1983 – 1987)

President of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (1989 – 1990)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (1989.05.20 – 2002.06.15)

Archbishop Ismael Blas Rolón Silvero, S.D.B.
(1970.06.16 – 1989.05.20)

Por tu palabra

Born:	1914.01.24 (Caazapá, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1941.11.23
Consecrated Bishop:	1966.01.23
Died:	2010.06.08 († 96)

Bishop-Prelate of Caacupé (Paraguay) (1960.08.02 – 1967.03.29)

Titular Bishop of Fornos major (1965.10.20 – 1967.03.29)

Bishop of Caacupé (Paraguay) (1967.03.29 – 1970.06.16)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (1970.06.16 – 1989.05.20)

President of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (1985 – 1989)

Archbishop Juan José Aníbal Mena Porta
(1949.02.25 – 1970.06.16)

In hic signo vinces ora et labora

Born:	1889.03.30 (Asunción, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1913.12.20
Consecrated Bishop:	1936.11.08
Died:	1977.05.29 († 88)

Titular Bishop of Limnæ (1936.07.25 – 1941.06.14)

Auxiliary Bishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (1936.07.25 – 1941.06.14)

Titular Archbishop of Cyrrhus (1941.06.14 – 1949.02.25)

Coadjutor Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (1941.06.14 – 1949.02.25)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (1949.02.25 – 1970.06.16)

President of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (1958 – 1970)

Titular Archbishop of Musti (1970.06.16 – 1970.11.25)

Archbishop Sinforiano Bogarín
(1929.05.01 – 1949.02.25)

Pro aris et fogis fortiter et suaviter

Born:	1863.08.21 (Mbuyapey, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1886.02.24
Consecrated Bishop:	1895.02.03
Died:	1949.02.25 († 85)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1894.09.21 – 1929.05.01)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (1929.05.01 – 1949.02.25)

Bishops of Paraguay (Roman Rite)

Bishop Sinforiano Bogarín (later Archbishop)
(1894.09.21 – 1929.05.01)

(see above)

Bishop Pietro Giovanni Aponte
(1879.07.24 – 1891.09.14)

Born:	1820.06.26 (Quiquio, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1852.10.01
Consecrated Bishop:	1879.10.19
Died:	1891.09.14 († 71)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1879.07.24 – 1891.09.14)

Bishop Emmanuele Antonio Palacios
(1865.01.31 – 1868.12.21)

Born:	1824.06.09 (Luque, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1848.09.30
Consecrated Bishop:	1863.08.30
Died:	1868.12.21 († 44)

Titular Bishop of Mallus (1863.03.16 – 1865.01.31)

Coadjutor Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1863.03.16 – 1865.01.31)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1865.01.31 – 1868.12.21)

Bishop Gregorio Urbieta
(1860.03.23 – 1865.01.17)

Born:	1787.05.24 (Villeta, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1811.07.07
Consecrated Bishop:	1857.05.10
Died:	1865.01.17 († 77)

Priest of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1811.07.07 – 1856.12.15)

Titular Bishop of Corycus (1856.12.15 – 1860.03.23)

Auxiliary Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1856.12.15 – 1860.03.23)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1860.03.23 – 1865.01.17)

Bishop Basilio Antonio López, O.F.M.
(1844.07.22 – 1859.01.16)

Born:	1779? (Recoleta, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1803.04.24
Consecrated Bishop:	1845.08.31
Died:	1859.01.16 († 79)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1844.07.22 – 1859.01.16)

Bishop Pedro García Panés, O.F.M.
(1807.03.23 – 1838.10.13)

Born:	1758.01.19 (Jarandilla, Spain)
Consecrated Bishop:	1809.05.21
Died:	1838.10.13 († 80)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1807.03.23 – 1838.10.13)

Bishop Nicolás Videla del Pino
(1802.08.09 – 1807.03.23)

Born:	1741.12.06 (Córdoba, Argentina)
Ordained Priest:	1765?
Consecrated Bishop:	1803.09.22
Died:	1819.03.17 († 77)

Priest of Córdoba (Argentina) (1765? – 1802.08.09)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1802.08.09 – 1807.03.23)

Bishop of Salta (Argentina) (1807.03.23 – 1819.03.17)

Bishop Lorenzo Suarez de Cantillana
(1797.12.18 – 1799.01.22)

Born:	1728? (Santiago del Estero, Argentina)
Consecrated Bishop:	1798.11.11
Died:	1799.01.22 († 70)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1797.12.18 – 1799.01.22)

Bishop Luis Velasco, O.F.M.
(1779.07.12 – 1792.06.15)

Born:	1724.03.13 (Madrid, Spain)
Consecrated Bishop:	1780
Died:	1792.06.15 († 68)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1779.07.12 – 1792.06.15)

Bishop Juan José de Priego y Caro, O.P.
(1772.12.14 – 1779?)

Born:	1710.06.25 (Lima, Peru)
Died:	1779? († 69)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1772.12.14 – 1779?)

Bishop Manuel López de Espinosa
(1762.12.20 – 1772)

Born:	1696? (Lima, Peru)
Died:	1772 († 76)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1762.12.20 – 1772)

Bishop Manuel Antonio de la Torre
(1756.05.24 – 1762.07.14)

Born:	1705.01.01 (Antillo de Campos, Spain)
Consecrated Bishop:	1757.07.25
Died:	1776.10.20 († 71)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) ([1756.03.23] 1756.05.24 – 1762.07.14)

Bishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina) (1762.07.14 – 1776.10.20)

Fr. Fernando José Pérez de Oblitas (later Bishop)
(1747.09.04 – 1756 not possessed)

Born:	1707? (Arequipa, Peru)
Died:	1760 († 53)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1747.09.04 – 1756 not possessed)

Bishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia) (1757 – 1760)

Bishop José Cayetano Paravicino, O.F.M.
(1738.11.16 – 1747.09.04)

Born:	1690.06.05 (Arequipa, Peru)
Consecrated Bishop:	1741.07.02
Died:	1750.10.20 († 60)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1738.11.16 – 1747.09.04)

Bishop of Trujillo (Peru) (1747.09.04 – 1750.10.20)

Bishop José de Palos, O.F.M.
(1724 – 1738.04.07)

Born:	1666.08.25? (Morella, Spain)
Consecrated Bishop:	1723.01.24
Died:	1738.04.07 († 71)

Titular Bishop of Talia (1721.09.24 – 1724)

Coadjutor Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1721.09.24 – 1724)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1724 – 1738.04.07)

Bishop Pedro Díaz Durana y Uriarte
(1704.03.10 – 1718)

Born:	1658? (Arequipa, Peru)
Died:	1718 († 60)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1704.03.10 – 1718)

Bishop Sebastián de Pastrana, O. de M.
(1687.06.25 – 1700.11.04 not possessed)

Born:	1633? (Lima, Peru)
Consecrated Bishop:	1697?
Died:	1700.11.04 († 66)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1687.06.25 – 1700.11.04 not possessed)

Bishop Faustino de Casas, O. de M.
(1674.12.17 – 1686.08.03)

Born:	1604? (Casarrubuelos, Spain)
Consecrated Bishop:	1675
Died:	1686.08.03 († 81)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1674.12.17 – 1686.08.03)

Bishop Gabriel de Guillistegui, O.F.M.
(1666.12.15 – 1670.09.01)

Born:	1594? (Toledo, Spain)
Consecrated Bishop:	1667
Died:	1677 († 83)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1666.12.15 – 1670.09.01)

Bishop of La Paz (Bolivia) (1670.09.01 – 1677)

Bishop Bernardino de Cárdenas Ponce
(1640.08.10 – 1663.07.07)

Born:	(Chuquisaca, Bolivia)
Consecrated Bishop:	1641.10.14
Died:	1668

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1640.08.10 – 1663.07.07)

Bishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia) (1663.07.07 – 1666)

Bishop of La Paz (Bolivia) (1666 – 1668)

Fr. Francisco de la Serna, O.E.S.A. (later Bishop)
(1635 – 1637.08.25 not possessed)

Born:	1568 (Huanuco, Peru)
Consecrated Bishop:	1637.11.15
Died:	1647.04 (Quito, Ecuador † 78)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1635 – 1637.08.25 not possessed)

Bishop of Popayán (Colombia) (1637.08.25 – 1645.01)

Bishop of La Paz (Bolivia) (1645.01 – 1647.04 not possessed)

Bishop Cristóbal de Aresti Martínez de Aguilar, O.S.B.
(1629.02.12 – 1635.12.03)

Born:	1578 (Valladolid, Spain)
Died:	1641 (Buenos Aires, Argentina † 63)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1629.02.12 – 1635.12.03)

Bishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina) (1635.12.03 – 1641)

Bishop Tomás de la Torre Gibaja, O.P.
(1620.03.30 – 1628.12.11)

Born:	1570 (Madrid, Spain)
Consecrated Bishop:	1621.08.15
Died:	1630.07.17 († 59)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1620.03.30 – 1628.12.11)

Bishop of Tucumán (Argentina) (1628.12.11 – 1630.07.17)

Bishop Lorenzo Pérez de Grado
(1615.09.16 – 1619.03.18)

Born:	(Salamanca, Spain)
Consecrated Bishop:	1616
Died:	1627.09.04

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1615.09.16 – 1619.03.18)

Bishop of Cusco (Peru) (1619.03.18 – 1627.09.04)

Bishop Reginaldo de Lizárraga, O.P.
(1609.07.20 – 1609.11.10)

Born:	1535 (Lizárraga, Spain)
Consecrated Bishop:	1599.10.24
Died:	1609.11.10 (Asuncion, Paraguay † 73)

Bishop of La Imperial (Chile) (1598.08.31 – 1603)

Bishop of Concepción (Chile) (1603 – 1609.07.20)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1609.07.20 – 1609.11.10)

Bishop Martín Ignacio de Loyola, O.F.M.
(1601.11.19 – 1606.10.09)

Born:	1553? (Éibar, Spain)
Consecrated Bishop:	1602
Died:	1606.10.09 (Buenos Aires, Argentina † 52)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1601.11.19 – 1606.10.09)

Bishop Baltazar de Covarrubias y Múñoz, O.E.S.A.
(1601 – 1603.01.13)

Born:	1560? (México, Mexico)
Consecrated Bishop:	1601
Died:	1622.07.22 († 61)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1601 – 1603.01.13)

Bishop of Nueva Caceres (Philippines) (1603.01.13 – 1605.06.06)

Bishop of Antequera (Mexico) (1605.06.06 – 1608.02.04)

Bishop of Michoacán (Mexico) (1608.02.04 – 1622.07.22)

Bishop Alonso Guerra, O.P.
(1579.02.06 – 1592.03.17)

Born:	(Valladoilid, Spain)
Consecrated Bishop:	1582.08.12
Died:	1596.06.18 (Valladolid, Spain)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1579.02.06 – 1592.03.17)

Bishop of Michoacán (Mexico) (1592.03.17 – 1596.06.18)

Bishop Juan del Campo, O.F.M.
(1577.03.27 – ?)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1577.03.27 – ?)

Bishop Pedro Fernández de la Torre, O.F.M.
(1554.08.27 – 1573)

Born:	(Spain)
Died:	1573

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1554.08.27 – 1573)

Bishop Juan de los Barrios, O.F.M. (later Archbishop)
(1547.07.01 – 1552.04.02)

Born:	1496 (Villa de Peloche, Spain)
Died:	1569.02.12 (Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia † 72)

Bishop of Paraguay (Paraguay) (1547.07.01 – 1552.04.02)

Bishop of Santa Marta (Colombia) (1552.04.02 – 1562.09.11)

Bishop of Santafé en Nueva Granada (Colombia) (1562.09.11 – 1564.03.22)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Santafé en Nueva Granada (Colombia) (1564.03.22 – 1569.02.12)

Former Prelates

Coadjutor Archbishop: Archbishop Edmundo Ponciano Valenzuela Mellid, S.D.B. (81) (2011.11.08 – 2014.11.06)
Coadjutor Archbishop: Archbishop Juan José Aníbal Mena Porta (1941.06.14 – 1949.02.25)
Coadjutor Bishop: Bishop Emmanuele Antonio Palacios (1863.03.16 – 1865.01.31)
Coadjutor Bishop: Bishop José de Palos, O.F.M. (1721.09.24 – 1724)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Adalberto Martínez Flores (75) (later Cardinal) (1997.08.14 – 2000.05.18)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Ricardo Jorge Valenzuela Ríos (71) (1993.11.27 – 2003.05.24)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Catalino Claudio Giménez Medina, I.Sch. (85) (1991.11.08 – 1995.06.03)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Eustaquio Pastor Cuquejo Verga, C.SS.R. (later Archbishop) (1982.06.27 – 1990.04.19)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Jorge Adolfo Carlos Livieres Banks (1976.10.12 – 1987.07.24)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Juan Moleón Andreu (1967.07.17 – 1972.02.01)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Julio Benigno Laschi González (1963 – 1969.05.19)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Felipe Santiago Benítez Ávalos (later Archbishop) (1961.08.10 – 1965.12.04)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Aníbal Maricevich Fleitas (1957.02.05 – 1965.12.04)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Ramón Pastor Bogarín Argaña (1954.12.01 – 1957.01.19)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Juan José Aníbal Mena Porta (later Archbishop) (1936.07.25 – 1941.06.14)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Gregorio Urbieta (1856.12.15 – 1860.03.23)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Marco Antonio Maiz (1844.07.25 – 1848.05.15)