Bishop of Guaranda
Hermenegildo José Torres Asanza was born on June 2, 1966, in San Roque, in the Municipality of Piñas and the Diocese of Machala, to a lawfully married couple. He completed his primary education at the "Francisco Pizarro" School in his native country and his secondary education at the "Técnico 8 de Noviembre" school in Piñas. He entered the "San José" Major Seminary in Quito, attending institutional courses at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. He was ordained a priest on July 12, 1992, at the Cathedral of Machala. Following his ordination, he was appointed parish priest of Santa Rosa, a role he held until 1998, when his Ordinary sent him to Rome to complete his studies at the Gregorian University; he obtained a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology there in 2000. Upon returning to the Diocese, he was entrusted with the parishes of Guanazán (2000–2002) and, subsequently, Piñas (2002–2007). During this same period, he held various diocesan positions, including Episcopal Vicar for the northern area of the Diocese and President of the Diocesan Commission for Social Pastoral Care. From 2000 to 2007, he was a member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors. On October 30, 2007, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Machala, receiving episcopal consecration on December 12 of that same year. Following the resignation of H.E. Monsignor Luis Sánchez Armijos, SDB, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Machala, H.E. Msgr. Hermenegildo was appointed Apostolic Administrator *sede vacante* on October 22, 2012—a position he held until September 14, 2013.