Bishop of San Francisco de Macorís
San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic. Monsignor Ramón Alfredo de la Cruz Baldera was consecrated Bishop of San Francisco de Macorís during a Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Diocese's Bishop Emeritus, Monsignor Fausto Ramón Mejía Vallejo. The event, held on Saturday, July 24, at the Julián Javier Stadium in San Francisco de Macorís, was attended by bishops from the Dominican Episcopal Conference (CED), President Luis Abinader, Vice President Raquel Peña, and other government, civil, and military officials. ABOUT MONSIGNOR ALFREDO DE LA CRUZ: Pope Francis appointed Father Alfredo de la Cruz as Bishop of San Francisco de Macorís on May 15, 2021, succeeding Monsignor Fausto Mejía, who had submitted his resignation due to age, in accordance with the Code of Canon Law. Born on July 5, 1961, he was ordained a priest on January 12, 1991. His past roles include serving as a formator and Dean of Philosophy at the Santo Tomás de Aquino Pontifical Seminary (SPSTA), Rector of the Universidad Católica Nordestana (UCNE), Rector of the Schönstatt Diocesan Priests' Institute for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, and President of the Association of University Rectors (ADRU). Prior to this appointment, he served as Rector of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM).