Emeritus Bishop of Tenerife Bernardo Álvarez dies at 76

The emeritus bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, Bernardo Álvarez, died this Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the age of 76, after receiving the sacraments and the apostolic blessing. He was accompanied by his sister, the current bishop Eloy Santiago, and other diocesan officials. Álvarez, who resigned from his post in September 2024 upon turning 75, had been hospitalized due to a worsening of his health condition, according to a statement from the Nivariense Diocese. He was born in Breña Alta, on the island of La Palma, and was ordained a priest on July 16, 1976, by Bishop Luis Franco Cascón. He served as a parish priest in four different destinations for 11 years. After the resignation of Bishop Bernardo Álvarez, Pope Francis appointed a new bishop for Tenerife: priest Eloy Alberto Santiago Santiago. After holding various diocesan responsibilities, he was named vicar general in May 1999 and Pope Benedicto XVI appointed him Nivariense Bishop on June 29, 2005. He received his episcopal ordination on September 4, 2005, at the Church of Our Lady of the Conception, the cathedral church at that time, and on the same day he took canonical possession of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. On that date, he began his stage as the main pastoral leader of the island for almost twenty years. The President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, lamented the death of the emeritus bishop of Tenerife in a message on his social networks: 'In his almost 20 years at the head of the diocese, I had the opportunity to know his dedication to the most vulnerable, his closeness and his commitment to our land.' Clavijo conveyed his 'love and condolences' to the family, the Nivariense Diocese, and his acquaintances. For its part, the La Laguna City Council's Culture Department and the Association of Belenists of La Laguna have decided to postpone the event for the proclamation of the Christmas sermon, scheduled for this Wednesday at the Leal Theater, due to the death of the emeritus bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, Bernardo Álvarez Afonso. Both from the different municipal areas of the Consistory and from the Association of Belenists, they have conveyed 'the most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones,' thanking 'the understanding of all the people who were planning to attend this event.'