Pope appoints Salesian priest as auxiliary bishop of Asunción

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Gabriel Escobar Ayala, a Salesian priest, as the new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Asunción, Paraguay. Bishop Escobar Ayala will serve alongside Archbishop Adalberto Martínez, who also holds the title of cardinal.

The appointment, announced by the Archdiocese of Asunción, was met with "joy and gratitude" towards the pontiff. According to canon law, auxiliary bishops are appointed to assist the diocesan bishop when pastoral needs require it. Their role is to collaborate with the archbishop, and they do not have succession rights.

This appointment is seen as a significant support for the pastoral services within the Archdiocese of Asunción. The archdiocese is noted for its extensive reach, diverse communities, and the numerous challenges associated with evangelization.

Gabriel Escobar Ayala, born in 1971, was ordained a priest in 2001. He pursued higher education in Religious Sciences and Education in Chile. Before his current appointment, he served as the bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of the Chaco in western Paraguay and held various positions within the Paraguayan Episcopal Conference. The announcement comes shortly after Pope Leo XIV granted Archbishop Martínez a two-year extension in his role, following his resignation upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75.