Bishop Francisco Simón Conesa Ferrer

Francisco Conesa Ferrer was born in Elche on August 25, 1961. He pursued ecclesiastical studies at the diocesan seminary and was ordained a priest on September 29, 1985. He holds doctorates in Theology (1994) and Philosophy (1995) from the University of Navarra. He has carried out his priestly ministry in the Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante, where he held the following positions: parochial vicar at the parish of Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Elche (1985–1987), the parish of La Inmaculada in San Vicente del Raspeig (1994–1996), and the parish of Nuestra Señora de Gracia in Alicante (1997). He served as Vicar General of the Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante (1998–2014). He was a professor at the diocesan seminary, teaching Philosophy of Language and Fundamental Theology (1992–1996); an associate professor at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarra (1994–2016); a canon *magistralis* of the Cathedral of Orihuela (2001–2016); and rector of the Basilica of Santa María in Elche (2014–2016). He was named a Prelate of Honor of His Holiness in 2012. On October 27, 2016, Pope Francis announced his appointment as Bishop of Menorca. He received episcopal ordination on January 7, 2017. On January 3, 2022, he was appointed by Pope Francis as the new Bishop of Solsona and took possession of the diocese on March 12, 2022.