Leo XIV Promotes Pro-Homosexual Bishop - "Francis' Man In Spain"
This is another terrible personnel decision that reveals what Pope Leo XIV wants for the Church.
Tension as Vicar General with his Bishop
José Antonio Satué was ordained as a priest of the Diocese of Huesca. He served as Vicar General of Huesca from 2004 to 2009 under Bishop Jesús Sanz Montes, 70. Sanz is now Archbishop of Oviedo and is considered one of the most conservative prelates in Spain.
However, Satué worked as vicar general against his own bishop. He wrote an 'anonymous' letter criticising Sanz's tenure and sent it to the diocesan clergy. Bishop Sanz discovered this and dismissed Satué as vicar general. He became a parish priest.
Then, Satué took his Bishop Sanz to a canonical trial, but this led nowhere. The details of the process are not public.
Meteoric Ascent and Career Moves
Monsignor Satué has risen quickly during Francis' pontificate. In 2014, Satué left Huesca to work in the Congregation for the Clergy.
According to InfoVaticana.com, he is a protégé of Cardinal Omella, who has advanced him strategically within the Vatican’s bureaucracy.
"Francis' Man in Spain"
In 2021, Francis appointed him as the Bishop of Teruel and Albarracín, a sparsely populated diocese in Spain.
Nevertheless, his influence was significant. Satué was among the bishops trusted by Francis to choose bishops in Spain, while sidelining the Nuncio.
The Substack-account The Pillar reported that Satué was "really Francis' man in Spain" who in 2023 and 2024 traveled monthly, or even biweekly, to Rome to meet with Francis.
Praise for Fiducia supplicans
In February 2024, InfoVaticana.com wrote that Bishop Satué is considered "more open to the LGBT lobby".
He was one of the few Spanish prelates to openly express support for the homosexual pamphlet 'Fiducia supplicans'. According to Satué, "the Declaration of the Holy See helps us to appreciate the attitude of those who approach the Church requesting a blessing".
Bishop Satué called the "blessing" of homosexuals "the merciful embrace of God".
Zero Credibility After the Gaztelueta Case
The Gaztelueta case destroyed Bishop Satué's reputation.
In 2022, Pope Francis reopened the trial of José María Martínez, a former teacher at the Gaztelueta school and member of Opus Dei. He had previously been found innocent of sexual abuse charges. Bishop Satué was appointed as the papal delegate (judge) for this second canonical process.
However, allegations surfaced that Satué had excluded a crucial witness: Silverio Nieto, a preliminary investigator who had supported the original case’s dismissal. This raised concerns about procedural fairness.
In March 2025, Satué expelled Martínez from Opus Dei.
"Catholic Websites Furiously Attack Francis"
In October 2024, Satué issued a pastoral letter urging caution regarding Catholic websites that "use the name 'Catholic' in vain" and engage in "furious attacks" against Pope Francis. He described such content as disruptive to Christian peace and unity.
In January 2025, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Satué as pontifical delegate for the conservative 'Institute of the Incarnate Word'. This gave him the authority of 'Superior General', effectively placing him in charge of the institute's governance.
Picture: José Antonio Satué Huerto © wikipedia, CC BY-SA, #newsQcljxtisnw