Ricardo Blázquez Pérez
Stored: Ricardo Blázquez Pérez
| His Eminence Ricardo Blázquez Pérez | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Ávila |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Bilbao |
| Other diocese 2: | Archdiocese of Valladolid |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 18 February 1967 by Archbishop José María Cirarda Lachiondo |
| Consecration: | 29 May 1988 by Cardinal Marcelo González Martín |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 14 February 2015 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Ricardo Blázquez Pérez April 13, 1942 Villanueva del Campillo, Ávila, Spain |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Spanish |
| Education: | Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | In Simplicitate Cordis |
| Role: | Emeritus |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Southern Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Ineligible |
Ricardo Blázquez Pérez, born April 13, 1942, is a Spanish Catholic cardinal and Archbishop Emeritus of Valladolid, serving from 2010 to 2022. He was Bishop of Ávila (1982–1992) and Bilbao (1992–1995) and President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (2005–2008, 2014–2020). Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2015, he contributed to synodal reforms within the Roman Rite.[1][2][3]
Born in Villanueva del Campillo, Ávila, Blázquez Pérez was inspired by the Saint Teresa of Ávila. In 2022, at age 80, he became ineligible for the papal conclave, continuing as an emeritus cardinal. His pastoral leadership strengthened Spain’s Catholic identity.[4][5][](https://www.cath.ch/newsf/le-pape-aux-nouveaux-cardinaux-lunique-autorite-credible-est-celle-qui-nait-du-service/)
Biography
Birth and early life
Ricardo Blázquez Pérez was born on April 13, 1942 in Villanueva del Campillo, Ávila, Spain, to a rural Catholic family.[1] His devotion to Teresa of Ávila’s mysticism shaped his pastoral approach. He entered the Ávila seminary in 1955, drawn to theology.[6]
Growing up in Francoist Spain, Blázquez Pérez developed a moderate outlook, balancing tradition and Vatican II reforms. His early parish work focused on community engagement.[5]
Education
Blázquez Pérez studied philosophy and theology at the Ávila seminary, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1967. He obtained a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1972), specializing in ecclesiology.[1][6] His research explored Church renewal post-Vatican II.[5]
His Roman education connected him with European theologians, preparing him for episcopal leadership. He mastered Spanish, Italian, and Latin.[1]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 18 February 1967 by Archbishop José María Cirarda Lachiondo for the Diocese of Ávila, Blázquez Pérez taught theology at the Ávila seminary and served as a parish priest.[1][2] He was a synod consultor for the Diocese of Ávila (1975–1982).[6]
His priesthood emphasized education and pastoral care. His theological writings gained recognition, leading to his episcopal appointment.[5]
Bishop
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago de Compostela and titular Bishop of Germa in Numidia on 8 April 1982 by Pope John Paul II, Blázquez Pérez was consecrated on 29 May 1988 by Cardinal Marcelo González Martín.[2] He served as Bishop of Ávila (1982–1992), Bishop of Bilbao (1992–1995), and Archbishop of Valladolid (2010–2022). Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria in Vallicella on 14 February 2015 by Pope Francis, he retired in 2022.[1][3]
In 2025, at age 82, Blázquez Pérez was ineligible for the conclave, focusing on writing and advising the Spanish Church.[4][](https://www.cath.ch/newsf/le-pape-aux-nouveaux-cardinaux-lunique-autorite-credible-est-celle-qui-nait-du-service/)
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germa in Numidia | Titular Bishop | 8 April 1982 | 26 May 1992 | Appointed by Pope John Paul II |
| Ávila | Bishop | 26 May 1992 | 8 September 1995 | Appointed by Pope John Paul II |
| Bilbao | Bishop | 8 September 1995 | 17 March 2010 | Appointed by Pope John Paul II |
| Valladolid | Archbishop | 17 March 2010 | 17 June 2022 | Appointed by Pope Benedict XVI; retired |
Significant events
- Entered the Ávila seminary in 1955.[1]
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Ávila by Archbishop José María Cirarda Lachiondo on 18 February 1967.[1]
- Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago de Compostela and titular Bishop of Germa in Numidia on 8 April 1982, consecrated on 29 May 1988.[2]
- Appointed Bishop of Ávila on 26 May 1992.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of Bilbao on 8 September 1995.[1]
- Appointed Archbishop of Valladolid on 17 March 2010.[1]
- Created cardinal-priest of Santa Maria in Vallicella by Pope Francis on 14 February 2015.[1]
- Retired as Archbishop of Valladolid on 17 June 2022.[3]
- Ineligible for the 2025 papal conclave due to age.[4][](https://www.cath.ch/newsf/le-pape-aux-nouveaux-cardinaux-lunique-autorite-credible-est-celle-qui-nait-du-service/)
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books specifically dedicated to Cardinal Ricardo Blázquez Pérez have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- La Iglesia, Pueblo de Dios, Madrid, BAC, 2003, ISBN 978-84-7914-654-2.[5]
- Pastoral de la Caridad, Salamanca, Ediciones Sígueme, 2010, ISBN 978-84-301-1732-1.[5]
External links
- Ricardo Cardinal Blázquez Pérez, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- BLÁZQUEZ PÉREZ Card. Ricardo, Vatican Press Office
- Cardinal Blázquez Pérez’s legacy in Spanish Church, Spanish Episcopal Conference
- Cardinal Blázquez Pérez retires as Archbishop of Valladolid, Catholic News Agency
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "BLÁZQUEZ PÉREZ Card. Ricardo". 2015-02-14. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_blazquez-perez.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Ricardo Cardinal Blázquez Pérez". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bblazquez.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Cardinal Blázquez Pérez retires as Archbishop of Valladolid". 2022-06-17. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/cardinal-blazquez-perez-retires-as-archbishop-of-valladolid.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Who can vote in a papal conclave?". 2025-04-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/who-can-vote-in-a-papal-conclave.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Cardinal Blázquez Pérez’s legacy in Spanish Church". 2022-06-17. https://www.conferenciaepiscopal.es/cardinal-blazquez-perez-legacy.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Ricardo Blázquez Pérez". https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55590/ricardo-blazquez-perez.