Bishop of San Sebastián
Fernando Prado Ayuso was born in Bilbao on August 28, 1969. He pursued higher studies at the Augustinian Fathers' school and entered the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CMF)—the Claretians—in 1992. He made his first profession on August 27, 1994, and his perpetual profession on September 27, 1998. He was ordained a priest on May 7, 2000. He holds degrees in Information Sciences and Journalism from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) (1993), in Theology from the University of Deusto (1998), and in the Theology of Religious Life from the Pontifical University of Salamanca (2002). He also holds a Master's degree in Publishing from the University of Salamanca (2002) and a diploma from a Basque language course organized by the Basque Government (1998). Following his perpetual profession, he held the following positions: from 1998 to 2002, he combined teaching at primary and secondary school levels with youth ministry at a parish in San Sebastián and served as the diocesan delegate for youth ministry in the pastoral unit of the Gros neighborhood, also in San Sebastián. In 2002, he moved to Madrid upon being appointed director of the publishing house *Publicaciones Claretianas*, a role he held until 2022. He was also a faculty member at the Theological Institute of Religious Life at the Pontifical University of Salamanca. Additionally, he served as chaplain for the Sacred Heart university residence and the school run by the Missionary Conceptionists of Teaching on Calle Princesa in Madrid, and as a collaborating priest for seven years at the Church of San Antón (*Mensajeros de la Paz*). For over 15 years, during the summer months, he served as a priest in Hispanic ministry at various parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (USA). He also contributed to COPE, TRECE, and several Catholic magazines. His appointment as Bishop of San Sebastián was announced on October 31, 2022. He was consecrated bishop on December 17 of the same year.