Election Of Next Opus Dei Prelate To Begin January 21

The process planned for the election and appointment of the prelate of Opus Dei will begin in Rome on January 21, the personal prelature said on its website.

Once he has been confirmed by the Pope, the new prelate will become the third successor of Saint Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975), and will take over the position held by Bishop Javier Echevarría, who died in Rome on December 12.

According to the auxiliary vicar of the prelature, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, “We are living this period in an attitude of prayer, going especially to the Holy Spirit.”

The electoral process involves both women and men and concludes with the confirmation of the election by the Pope.

Only a priest can be elected as the prelate. He must be at least forty years old and a member of the Congress of electors, and incorporated in the prelature for at least ten years and a priest for five years. There are currently 94 priests, from 45 countries, who meet these requirements.

Among them are numerous regional vicars (representatives of the prelate in each country or circumscription) as well as other priests who work or have worked in the pastoral work of Opus Dei in Rome or in the 49 circumscriptions of which the prelature is currently composed.