The Holy Father has appointed Msgr. Francisco Simón Conesa Ferrer as bishop of Menorca (area 701, population 94,875, Catholics 79,900, priests 34, permanent deacons 3, religious 60), Spain. The bishop-elect was born in 1961 in Alicante, Spain and was ordained a priest in 1985. He holds doctorates in theology, and in philosophy and letters, from the University of Navarra, and has served in a number of pastoral roles in the diocese of Orihuela-Alicante, including parish vicar, professor at the minor seminary, pro-vicar general, and vicar general. He is currently pastor-rector of the Basilica of St. Mary at Elche, and archpriest. He is also associate professor in fundamental and dogmatic theology at the University of Navarra, professor in the “San Pablo” Higher Institute of Religious Sciences. In 2012 he was named Prelate of Honour of His Holiness.