Adalberto Martínez Flores
Stored: Adalberto Martínez Flores
| His Eminence Adalberto Martínez Flores | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Asunción | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Asunción |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Saint Thomas |
| Other diocese 2: | Diocese of San Lorenzo |
| Other diocese 3: | Diocese of San Pedro |
| Ordination: | 24 August 1985 by Cardinal Seán O’Malley |
| Consecration: | 8 November 1997 by Archbishop Felipe Santiago Benítez Ávalos |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Adalberto Martínez Flores 8 July 1951 Asunción, Paraguay |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Paraguay |
| Education: | Pontifical Lateran University |
| Motto: | "Ut Unum Sint" (That They May Be One) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Latin America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Adalberto Martínez Flores, born on 8 July 1951, is a Paraguayan prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Archbishop of Asunción since 2022 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.[1] Born in Asunción, Paraguay, he was ordained a priest in 1985 for the Diocese of Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands, and served as Bishop of San Lorenzo (2000–2007), Bishop of San Pedro (2007–2012), and Bishop of Villarrica del Espíritu Santo (2012–2018) before becoming Military Ordinary of Paraguay (2018–2022).[2] Known for his progressive theology, Martínez has championed synodality, social justice, and environmental concerns, aligning closely with Pope Francis’ vision, notably as president of the Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (2018–2024).[3] As the first Paraguayan cardinal, his elevation marked a historic moment, which he viewed as a recognition of Paraguay’s faithful.[4]
Martínez’s ministry includes advocacy for the poor, healthcare initiatives, and support for marginalized communities, as seen in his leadership of social welfare programs and his role in the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since October 2022.[4] He has condemned abortion as “abominable,” emphasizing family values, while promoting dialogue in Paraguay’s socio-political challenges.[3] His diverse education, including economics, philosophy, and theology, and fluency in Spanish, English, and Italian, has shaped his global perspective.[2] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, Martínez has drawn media attention as a potential papabile, though such claims lack primary confirmation.[5] He remains committed to Asunción, fostering synodality and celebrating milestones like the 2023 Schoenstatt feast at Tupãrenda.[6]
Biography
Birth and early life
Adalberto Martínez Flores was born on 8 July 1951 in Asunción, Paraguay, the second of four children of Esmeralda Flores Eisenhut and Aurelio Martínez Barúa.[1] He attended primary school in Coronel Oviedo until fifth grade, completed sixth grade at Escuela General E. Díaz, and secondary school at Escuela Nacional de Comercio N.º 1 in Asunción.[7] His early exposure to Paraguay’s socio-economic disparities shaped his commitment to social justice.[3]
Inspired by the Focolare Movement, Martínez discerned a priestly vocation, pursuing studies abroad to prepare for ministry.[2] His upbringing in Asunción’s Catholic community fostered a lifelong dedication to the marginalized.[7]
Education
Martínez studied economics for three years at the National University of Asunción (1968–1970) before pursuing advanced English in Washington, D.C. (1973–1975) and philosophy at Oblate College in San Antonio, Texas.[2] He completed philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome (1977–1981) after studying at the International School for Priests of the Focolare Movement in Frascati.[1] He was ordained a priest on 24 August 1985 by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, then bishop coadjutor of Saint Thomas.[1]
His diverse education, spanning economics, languages, and theology, equipped him for leadership in Paraguay’s Church, particularly in addressing social and environmental issues.[3] Martínez speaks Spanish, English, and Italian fluently.[2]
Priesthood
Ordained for the Diocese of Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands, in 1985, Martínez served there until 1994, first on St. Thomas and later as pastor of Los Sagrados Corazones de Jesús y María in Asunción (1994–1997) after incardination into the Archdiocese of Asunción in 1994.[2] His ministry focused on community engagement and pastoral care, reflecting Focolare’s emphasis on unity.[7]
Appointed auxiliary bishop of Asunción on 14 August 1997 by Pope John Paul II, he received episcopal consecration on 8 November 1997, preparing him for broader leadership.[1] His early priesthood laid the foundation for his social justice advocacy.[3]
Bishop
Martínez served as auxiliary bishop of Asunción (1997–2000), Bishop of San Lorenzo (2000–2007), Bishop of San Pedro (2007–2012), and Bishop of Villarrica del Espíritu Santo (2012–2018).[1] He was appointed Military Ordinary of Paraguay on 23 March 2018, serving until his appointment as Archbishop of Asunción on 17 February 2022.[2] Elevated to cardinal-priest of San Giovanni a Porta Latina on 27 August 2022, he took possession of his titular church in 2023.[4]
As president of the Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (2018–2024), Martínez promoted synodality and social welfare, notably through healthcare initiatives and support for the poor.[4] His appointment to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in 2022 underscores his role as a bridge between Latin America and the Vatican.[4] His progressive stance, including environmental advocacy, aligns with Pope Francis, though his condemnation of abortion reflects traditional values.[3]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Asunción | Auxiliary Bishop | 14 August 1997 | 18 May 2000 | Titular Bishop of Tatilti |
| Diocese of San Lorenzo | Diocesan Bishop | 18 May 2000 | 14 February 2007 | First bishop of new diocese |
| Diocese of San Pedro | Diocesan Bishop | 14 February 2007 | 10 March 2012 | Focused on rural communities |
| Diocese of Villarrica del Espíritu Santo | Diocesan Bishop | 10 March 2012 | 23 March 2018 | Strengthened social outreach |
| Military Ordinariate of Paraguay | Military Ordinary | 23 March 2018 | 17 February 2022 | Served armed forces |
| Archdiocese of Asunción | Metropolitan Archbishop | 17 February 2022 | Present | First Paraguayan cardinal in 2022 |
Significant events
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Saint Thomas in 1985 by Cardinal Seán O’Malley.[1]
- Incardinated into the Archdiocese of Asunción in 1994.[2]
- Appointed auxiliary bishop of Asunción in 1997.[1]
- Named Bishop of San Lorenzo in 2000.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of San Pedro in 2007.[1]
- Named Bishop of Villarrica del Espíritu Santo in 2012.[1]
- Appointed Military Ordinary of Paraguay in 2018.[2]
- Elected president of the Episcopal Conference of Paraguay in 2018, re-elected in 2021.[3]
- Appointed Archbishop of Asunción in 2022.[2]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022, first Paraguayan cardinal.[4]
- Appointed to Pontifical Commission for Latin America in 2022.[4]
- Received Doctor Honoris Causa from UPAP in 2023.[8]
- Confirmed as eligible for the 2025 papal conclave.[5]
Books
Written about the bishop
- "Cardinal Adalberto Martínez Flores". 23 November 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/adalberto-martinez-flores.
- "Se cumple un año del histórico nombramiento del primer cardenal paraguayo". 27 August 2023. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2023/08/27/se-cumple-un-ano-del-historico-nombramiento-del-primer-cardenal-paraguayo/.
- "El Cardenal Adalberto Martínez recibió el título de Doctor Honoris Causa de la UPAP". 20 October 2023. https://upap.edu.py/el-cardenal-adalberto-martinez-recibio-el-titulo-de-doctor-honoris-causa-de-la-upap/.
Written by the bishop
- No books or major publications by Cardinal Adalberto Martínez Flores have been identified in available sources, though he has contributed homilies and pastoral letters on synodality and social justice.[6]
External links
- Adalberto Cardinal Martínez Flores at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal Adalberto Martínez Flores at Vatican Press
- Monseñor Adalberto Martínez Flores at Conferencia Episcopal Paraguaya
- Se cumple un año del histórico nombramiento del primer cardenal paraguayo at La Nación
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Cheney, David M.. "Adalberto Cardinal Martínez Flores". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/marflo.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 "Cardinal Adalberto Martínez Flores". 27 August 2022. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_martinez-flores.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Cardinal Adalberto Martínez Flores". 23 November 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/adalberto-martinez-flores.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "Se cumple un año del histórico nombramiento del primer cardenal paraguayo". 27 August 2023. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2023/08/27/se-cumple-un-ano-del-historico-nombramiento-del-primer-cardenal-paraguayo/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Piqué, Elisabetta (25 April 2025). "Quiénes son los cardenales que participarán del cónclave". https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/quienes-son-los-cardenales-que-participaran-del-conclave-nid25042025/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "PARAGUAY, Homilía de Cardenal Adalberto Martínez en Tuparenda, 18 de octubre de 2023". 18 October 2023. https://www.schoenstatt.org/es/paraguay-homilia-de-cardenal-adalberto-martinez-en-tuparenda-18-de-octubre-de-2023/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Adalberto Martínez Flores". 27 August 2022. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adalberto_Mart%C3%ADnez_Flores.
- ↑ "El Cardenal Adalberto Martínez recibió el título de Doctor Honoris Causa de la UPAP". 20 October 2023. https://upap.edu.py/el-cardenal-adalberto-martinez-recibio-el-titulo-de-doctor-honoris-causa-de-la-upap/.