Pope Francis confirmed the appointment of Mgr Fernando Ocáriz Braña as new Prelate of Opus Dei. Msgr. Ocáriz, born in Paris to a Spanish family, is the third successor of St. Josemaria Escriva. The 72-year-old monsignor, was serving as the Vicar General of Opus Dei since 1994 and Auxiliary vicar of Prelature since 2014.
The election process began on Jan 21, after the death of the previous prelate Bishop Javier Echevarría, and the elective congress began on Jan 23. The new Prelate has secured licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Lateran University and doctorate from the University of Navarra in theology.
Opus Dei is a personal prelature, founded by St. Josemaria Escriva in 1928. Opus Dei, “Work of God” in Latin, stands to spread the Christian message that every person is called to holiness and that every honest work can be sanctified.
