Father José Armando Benavides Romero appointed interim administrator of Ciudad Juárez Diocese

The Diocese of Ciudad Juárez announced that Father José Armando Benavides Romero, formerly the vicar general, has been selected as diocesan administrator to lead the local Catholic Church during the vacancy created when Bishop José Guadalupe Torres Campos took canonical possession of the Diocese of Ecatepec. The College of Consultors chose Benavides Romero on 27 July 2026 in accordance with canons 421‑… of the Code of Canon Law, and he immediately assumed the ordinary governance responsibilities.

Benavides Romero will remain in charge until the Holy See appoints a new bishop and that bishop takes canonical possession. The diocese’s chancellor, Víctor Manuel Vega Ortega, issued a statement urging priests, deacons, religious, and lay faithful to cooperate with the new administrator and to pray for a swift appointment of a permanent ordinary.