Javier Echevarria Rodriguez

The present Bishop-Prelate of Opus Dei, Msgr. Javier Echevarria

Javier Echevarria Rodriguez is a Roman Catholic prelate.

He was born in Madrid on June 14, 1932. He was ordained to the presbyterate for Opus Dei on August 7, 1955.

With the death of the first Prelate of Opus Dei, Msgr. Alvaro del Portillo on March 23, 1994, a period of mourning followed. The Holy See subsequently named Father Echevarria Rodriguez as the second Prelate of Opus Dei on April 20, 1994, and Titular Bishop of Cilibia on November 21, 1994.

He was subsequently ordained to the episcopate by Pope John Paul II with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and Msgr. Jorge Mejía, Titular Archbishop of Apollonia as co-consecrators on January 6, 1995.

Bishop Echevarria serves as the chancellor of the prestigious Spanish university, the University of Navarra, and various other universities under the spiritual care of Opus Dei.

Investigating the Cause of Canonization for Msgr. Alvaro del Portillo

In an edict dated December 6, 2002, Msgr. Echevarria Rodriguez confirmed: clear signs of the solid and widespread reputation for holiness enjoyed by Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, Prelate of Opus Dei. Desiring to document in a sufficiently ample way his exemplary Christian life, on May 23, 1994, the Vicar General, Msgr. Fernando Ocariz, sent out a questionnaire with 252 questions about Bishop del Portillo.

Bishop Echevarria in a get-together with the faithful of the Opus Dei prelature and their friends

From the testimonies we received, we felt compelled to continue the investigation. After having fulfilled the steps required by the current norms, we have reached the conclusion that conditions exist for the introduction of the cause of canonization of Bishop Alvaro del Portillo. ...

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* Edict of Javier Echevarria, By the grace of God and of the Apostolic See, Prelate of Opus Dei, December 6, 2002, Rome