Bishop threatens resignation over Spanish shrine dispute

Bishop Ángel Pérez Pueyo of the Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón has renewed his threat to resign due to an ongoing six-year dispute with Opus Dei regarding the Torreciudad shrine in Spain.

The conflict centers on the Marian image of Our Lady of Torreciudad. While the Vatican-appointed commissioner, Archbishop Alejandro Arellano, reached an agreement nearly a year ago, Bishop Pérez Pueyo has refused to accept it. The proposed Vatican resolution would allow Opus Dei to maintain control of the shrine complex and normalize its status as a diocesan shrine, with the image visiting its original chapel twice a year. However, the bishop demands the permanent return of the image to its original chapel.

Although the Vatican commissioner has the authority to impose the resolution, officials have attempted to resolve the matter delicately, including offers to transfer the bishop to a different diocese to end the impasse.