Santo Domingo.-Monsignor Carlos Tomás Morel Diplán was positioned as coadjutor archbishop of Santo Domingo, with the right of succession, during a canonical ceremony held in the Primate Cathedral of America, presided over by the apostolic nuncio Monsignor Piergiorgio Bertoldi and concelebrated by more than a hundred priests together with the bishops of the Dominican Episcopate Conference.
The liturgical act was attended by the Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña, who was in charge of the first reading; the Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza; the ombudsman, Pablo Ulloa, as well as civil and religious authorities, deacons, seminarians from the Pontifical Saint Thomas of Aquinas Seminary and numerous parishioners who filled the Primate Cathedral of America.
Monsignor Morel Diplán, who until now served as bishop of La Vega, will assume the leadership of the archdiocese once the current metropolitan archbishop, Monsignor Francisco Ozoria Acosta, presents his resignation upon turning 75.
Ozoria had requested Pope Leo XIV to appoint a coadjutor to accompany him in pastoral tasks and ensure an orderly transition.
In the same ceremony, the appointment of the auxiliary bishop of Santo Domingo, Monsignor Amable Durán, as apostolic administrator of La Vega was announced until the Pope appoints an ordinary bishop to replace Morel Diplán.
“The Church of SD lives”
In his homily, Nuncio Bertoldi highlighted the vitality of the capital’s Church, pointing out that “the parishes react with strength and enthusiasm, guided by a generous and diverse clergy, although sometimes fatigued by so many commitments.”
Challenges
He also highlighted the challenges facing the city, especially in the Colonial City, where housing problems, school dispersion, unemployment and drug trafficking persist, “evil plants that must be eradicated with all efforts.”
However, he recognized the progress of the authorities in the recovery of the historic center and the cultural revitalization of the area. “The Church is an important pillar, called to guard the identity of a wonderful people,” said the nuncio, highlighting that scandals and human falls should be seen “not as a reason for judgment or sadness, but as an opportunity for mercy and growth.”
The value of forgiveness
Addressing Monsignor Morel Diplán, Bertoldi stressed the value of forgiveness as the center of episcopal witness and told him directly: “Dear Monsignor Tomás: forgiveness is the heart of our Christian witness. Like Jesus on the cross, we are called to forgive, not to condemn and to leave room for God’s mercy to transform evil into good.”
Pastoral commitments of Morel Diplán. At the end of the ceremony, Monsignor Morel Diplán outlined the three pillars of his episcopal ministry: “Serve with love, listen with generosity and accompany like a brother”, following the example of Jesus Christ.
“I come as a pastor with the desire to encourage, strengthen and console the community that has been entrusted to me together with Monsignor Francisco Ozoria. In the Bible, the pastor is someone entrusted by God to guide, protect and care for his people,” he proclaimed.
The coadjutor archbishop expressed his gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his trust, to Monsignor Ozoria for his welcome and to the priests, religious and lay people who have accompanied him in his pastoral service.
La Vega Designation
— Administrator
Monsignor José Amable Durán Tineo, current Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, was appointed as apostolic administrator of the diocese of La Vega, while the Vatican appoints a new ordinary bishop.
A close church, that listens and accompanies
Message. Monsignor Morel Diplán defined his priorities in supporting families, young people, older adults and people in situations of vulnerability or illness, committing to promote a closer Church that listens and accompanies.
“We must make listening a ministry in which we are available to understand and support others.
Our parishes and communities must be true spaces of comfort and compassion,” he stated.
Likewise, he emphasized the defense of the family as a fundamental value, the strengthening of priestly fraternity, the promotion of human dignity and the care of the environment, as concrete expressions of a faith that serves with love.
