On January 28, Pope Francis appointed Bishop José Ornelas, as the new bishop of the diocese of Leiria-Fátima, succeeding Cardinal António Marto.

The new bishop of Fatima is a member of the missionary congregation of the Dehonians - Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He is 68 years old and has been in charge of the diocese of Setúbal, in Portugal, since 2015. Besides, he is also the President of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference.

Cardinal Antonio Marto had presented his resignation to the Holy Father when he turned 74, last May 2021, because of his age and “aware of the enormous limits of his physical and psychological forces to properly exercise the office, in view of the pastoral demands of the Diocese and of the Shrine of Fatima” he said.  

Bishop José Ornelas, in his first written message to the faithful of the diocese made a special reference to Fatima, saying:

"Fatima resonates in our ears and in our hearts, here in Portugal and in the world, as a very special place and a reference of the presence of God, also in a dramatic situation, similar to the one we live in. (...) Mary, loving Mother of the little ones is the image of the Church that we want to be, as heralds in this world."

The World Apostolate of Fatima expresses his gratitude to Cardinal Antonio Marto for his loving dedication to the diocese of Leiria-Fatima (2006-2022) and for his support to the World Apostolate of Fatima, in the quality of its ecclesiastical adviser.

A warm and joyful welcome to the new Bishop José Ornelas! Pray for him and for his fruitful mission.

The official entrance of Bishop José Ornelas in the diocese will occur on March 13, 2022, in the cathedral of Leiria.