(ANS - Vatican City) - The Holy Father Pope Francis today 20 December appointed Fr Alfredo Espinoza Mateus, SDB, Bishop of Loja,  Ecuador.

Espinoza Mateus was born 22 April 1958 in Guayaquil. He entered the seminary of Rio Negro in 1978 and made ​​his first vows on 24 January 1979. He completed his studies in Philosophy, Theology and Pedagogy at the Salesian Higher Institute in Quito and at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Quito. He holds a licentiate in Educational Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador with a specialization in catechesis.

He was ordained priest on 17 December 1988.

He was Economer and Vice-Rector at Riobamba and then Rector of various Salesian communities – at St. Dominic Savio and Colón in Guayaquil, at El Giron and then at the Provincial House in Quito.

He currently holds the positions of Delegate for the Past Pupils and Provincial Economer. He participated in the 26th General Chapter in 2008 as the Delegate from Ecuador.

Published 20/12/2013