Monsignor Raúl Beard inaugurated as new Archbishop of Caracas

Monsignor Raúl Bildé Castillo was inaugurated as Archbishop of Caracas this Saturday during a church service in the capital’s cathedral, succeeding Cardinal Baltazar Porras.

Biord Castillo, who has served as bishop of La Guaira since 2013, assumed this pastoral responsibility after being appointed by Pope Francis on June 28.

“I thank God and Pope Francis for appointing me the seventeenth archbishop of Caracas. I come here with great humility, aware of my limitations and my smallness, but trusting in your grace and the help of all of you, my brothers,” the bishop said.

Likewise, he thanked Cardinal Baltazar Porras for leading the pastoral mission of the Archdiocese over the past six years. “He has been the driving force behind many initiatives, together with his auxiliary bishops, priests, deacons, religious sisters and lay people. He has introduced us to the teachings of Pope Francis and his pastoral guidelines. He has worked for the beatification of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández, who we hope will soon become a saint,” he noted.

During the ceremony, Baltazar Porras placed on Bishop Raul Beard the mitre and scepter, the unique symbols of the authority and pastoral mission conferred upon him by his new ministry. These symbols represent his responsibility to guide and protect the flock, and his commitment to teach and sanctify the faithful.

Biod Castillo, For more information, please visit the Anglican Church websiteHe was ordained a priest on July 15, 1989 in San Antonio de los Altos.

He received degrees in philosophy (1990) and fundamental theology (1996) and a doctorate in sacred theology (1997) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

He has been professor and rector of the Salesian Fathers Ojeda University Institute (IUSPO) in Los Teques, professor at the Institute of Religious Theology (ITER) in Caracas, professor at the seminaries of the dioceses of Caracas, Maturín and Manaus, priest of the Diocese of Caracas “San Juan Bosco”, member of the Council of Presbyterians (Los Teques), Provincial Vicar of the Salesian Congregation of St. John Bosco in Venezuela (2004-2014), Secretary of the Theological Pastoral Commission of the General Council of Venezuela (2000-2005).