Opus Dei Weighs In on Torreciudad: «A Legal Difference Cannot Be Turned Into an Offensive Accusation»

In light of the latest installment in the «series» on Torreciudad—specifically, the statement issued by Ángel Pérez Pueyo, bishop of the Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón, on August 31—the Opus Dei has made its position on this conflict public and keep in mind a few key points for understanding a difficult process in which two positions that seem unable to reach an agreement come together.

Indeed, in the press release On the occasion of the 47thPilgrimage of the Virgins of Ribagorza and Sobrarbe at the Torreciudad Shrine, Bishop Ángel Pérez Pueyo described as illegitimate the «alleged» retention of the original image of Our Lady of the Angels of Torreciudad by Opus Dei; he called into question the work of the papal commissioner and threatened to resign if the statue was not returned to the original sanctuary (located just a few meters from the new church).

The Virgin has not been «taken away» or «separated from her children»

The statement implies that the Virgin has been separated from her people ever since 1966, when the then-diocesan bishop, Monsignor Jaime Flores, agreed to the relocation of the Virgin’s statue (the transfer in perpetuity had taken place in 1962).

This point is one of the first mentioned in the Prelature’s statement, which notes that «it has never been in dispute that ownership of the image belongs to the diocese. The controversy concerns the scope and validity of the rights of use, custody, and location established through agreements between the parties.».

The statement is also clear in specifically noting the legality, transparency, and normality of the relocation: «The image was not moved to another town nor removed from Torreciudad: it was placed, with documented authorization from the diocese, in the new church built a few meters from the chapel and within the same devotional complex.”.

»The sculpture was never taken without authorization. Always with the bishop's permission, it was restored in 1964 and again around 1970, and since 1975 it has presided over the altarpiece of this new church, publicly displayed for the veneration of all the faithful.« This point contradicts the bishop’s account that the image has been »withheld” from the faithful of his diocese.

The statement takes a firm stance against what it describes as a baseless and offensive accusation. Opus Dei asserts that «it is legitimate that there are currently differing interpretations regarding the legal effects of the agreements. It is up to the competent authority to resolve them. But a legal difference cannot be turned into a baseless and offensive accusation.». 

The Role of Opus Dei in the Knowledge and Devotion to Torreciudad

One of the points the statement makes clear is the growth in devotion to Our Lady of Torreciudad thanks to the work carried out by Opus Dei in renovating the site, restoring the statue of the Virgin, and promoting devotion through initiatives organized by the Shrine.

In this regard, the prelature highlights the restoration, renovation, and maintenance work carried out on the complex, which also includes the original sanctuary chapel (owned by the Diocese but ceded in perpetuity). Among other things, it mentions how «the new church allows the elderly and people with disabilities to draw closer to the Virgin» and notes that the original chapel has been restored and is open to the public. In fact, they point out, «historical photographs show the physical condition of the chapel and its outbuildings before the work began. The current images allow us to see the results of the restoration, conservation, and hospitality efforts carried out by many people, including the faithful of the diocese.».

The plenipotentiary commissioner was requested by the diocese

On October 9, 2024, the Holy See's daily bulletin reported the appointment of Bishop. Alejandro Arellano Cedillo, Dean of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, as «pontifical commissary plenipotentiary»for Torreciudad," that is, a delegate of the Pope who has the authority to act on his behalf in specific matters.

In cases of this kind, the commissioner has full authority to make decisions and take action in both ecclesiastical and administrative matters. This type of commissioner is appointed by the Pope, and his or her role may encompass both judicial and executive functions within the Church.

At that time, the diocese not only expressed, together with the Prelature of Opus Dei, its full confidence in the commissioner’s work, but also, in statements to a local media outlet, Pérez Pueyo emphasized that this intervention by the Holy See came at the request of the Diocese of Barbastra, since a satisfactory agreement had not been reached in the meetings held by both parties since the disagreements began in July 2023. However, in the latest diocesan statement, the bishop expresses his disagreement with Arellano Cedillo’s work.

Torreciudad is set to host a week full of events: on September 5, the aforementioned pilgrimage will take place, while on the 12th, the plenipotentiary commissioner will preside over the Marian Family Day, which has been attended by thousands of people from all over Spain for the past 33 years. Meanwhile, Opus Dei remains confident that the competent authority will resolve a conflict that is only creating an uncomfortable and sad situation.