Who is José María Avendaño, auxiliary bishop

José María Avendaño Perea (Villanueva de Alcardete, Toledo, April 25, 1957) is a 65-year-old Spanish priest. On September 30, 2022 he has been appointed auxiliary bishop of Getafeposition of which he will take possession on a date that will be indicated soon.

Currently, and since 2005, it is the Vicar General of the Diocese of Getafe and Vicar for the Clergy. He is the author of several books and numerous articles on spirituality and social ministry.

As auxiliary bishop, he will continue to work hand in hand with the diocesan bishop, Ginés García Beltrán.

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Studies and early years

Jose Maria Avendano, son of a family of five brothers, studied in Toledo and from a young age forged the foundations of his Christian and priestly vocation there. He belonged to a group called Auxilia, dedicated to caring for people with disabilities, and also to the Legion of Mary, where he helped care for the sick and injured.

In February 1980, Avendaño completed his mandatory military service, graduating as a corporal. A few weeks later an event would take place that would determine his priestly vocation: the assassination of the then Archbishop of San Salvador, Óscar A. Romero, marked him so deeply who came to express to God: “From now on, you can count on me”.

The other decisive figure in his vocation was the priest and professor John Martin Velasco, who was then the trainer of the Conciliar Seminary of Madrid. His help and his accompaniment were decisive in Avendaño’s discernment process and he ended up entering the Seminary.

Jose Maria Avendano He has a degree in Teaching, specializing in Mathematics (1978) and Speech Therapy (1981) from the Complutense University of Madrid, a bachelor’s degree in Theology (1985) from the Comillas Pontifical University of Madrid and a degree in Practical Pastoral Theology (2004) from the Pontifical University of Salamanca, at its headquarters of the Higher Institute of Pastoral Care in Madrid.

Ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Madrid (1987), he began his pastoral ministry in towns on the outskirts of the Community of Madrid.

When the Diocese of Getafe was created (1991) he was incardinated there and exercised numerous responsibilities: parochial vicar in the parish of El Salvador de Leganés (1987-1989); parochial vicar (1989-1997) and parish priest (1997-2005) in San Nicasio de Leganés; and Archpriest of Leganés (1992-2001).

In the diocesan Curia he has been diocesan delegate for Social Pastoral Care (2002-2018). Bishop Joaquín María López de Andújar appointed him in 2005 Vicar General of the Diocese of Getafe, a position confirmed by his successor, Ginés García Beltrán. Avendaño is also a Vicar for the Clergy (since 2018), a member of the Presbyteral Council and a member of the College of Consultors, among other diocesan councils.

By designation of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, José María Avendaño is Episcopal Councilor of the General Council of Cáritas Española (since 2018).

Auxiliary Bishop of Getafe since 2022

On September 30, 2022, Pope Francis appointed José María Avendaño auxiliary bishop of Getafe. He will receive episcopal consecration and take office on a date to be announced soon.

He has chosen as episcopal motto ‘Caritas et humilitas’ (Charity and humility).

From his new position, he will continue to work hand in hand with the diocesan bishop, Ginés García Beltrán.

The last auxiliary bishop of Getafe was José Rico Pavés, who was appointed bishop of Asidonia-Jerez in 2021.

Books about his parents Cándido and Jorja Perea

José María Avendaño is the author of several books and numerous articles on spirituality and social ministry, some of them illustrated by watercolors that he himself paints. The works that he has dedicated to his parents stand out.

His father Cándido, who died in 2019 due to a brain tumor, is the protagonist of ‘In your hands. Accompany sickness and prepare for a good death’ (Narcea, 2020).

On the other hand, ‘La fe es simple’ (Narcea, 2016), is dedicated to Jorja Perea, his mother, who died in 2015 and from whom Avendaño learned to follow Jesus Christ in daily life. Currently Jorja is in the process of beatification, being attributed several thanks to people who knew her. The opening of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization took place in July 2022 at the Archbishop of Toledo.

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