The Holy See announced today, March 18, 2026, the appointment of two new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Caracas: Father José Manuel León and Father José Dionisio Gómez Gouveia. These appointments strengthen pastoral work in the capital, adding two shepherds with extensive experience in priestly formation, ecclesiastical administration, and parish ministry.
Father José Manuel León was born in Barquisimeto on October 29, 1966. He has served as a priest for 32 years in the Passionist congregation. He holds a degree in Educational Sciences from the Central University of Venezuela and studied Philosophy and Theology at ITER and the Pontifical Salesian University of Rome (UPS).
Throughout his career he has held positions of great responsibility, including:
- Secretary General and Administrator of the Latin American Passionist Conference (CLAP).
- Coordinator of the Vocations Ministry and Counselor of the Passionist Vicariate of Venezuela from 1997 to 2002.
- Parish Vicar of the parish of Our Lady of Fatima, Conde, Caracas.
- Professor of Christology and Secretary General at ITER and other theological institutions.
- Pastor of the Most Precious Blood of St. Hedwig and Rector of the Santa Gema School.
- Member of the spirituality and discernment support group of the Diocese of Petare.
We thank the Holy Father for the trust placed in our brother and congratulate him, joining together in supplication to the Lord that He may fill him with the gift of His Spirit to carry out the service that, sustained by His grace, He entrusts to him.
