Miguel Ángel Sebastián Martínez

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Miguel Ángel Sebastián Martínez, M.C.C.J. (born 28 September 1950) is a Spanish-born Chadian Roman Catholic prelate and member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus. He served as Bishop of Lai from 1999 to 2018 and as Bishop of Sarh from 2018 until his retirement in 2026.[1]

Early life and ministry

Sebastián Martínez was born on 28 September 1950 in Zaragoza, Spain. He entered the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus and was ordained a priest on 7 June 1975.[1]

He spent much of his priestly ministry as a missionary in Chad.[2]

Episcopal ministry

On 28 November 1998, Pope John Paul II appointed Sebastián Martínez the first bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Lai. His episcopal consecration took place on 14 February 1999. The principal consecrator was Bishop Matthias N'Gartéri Mayadi, with Bishops Edmond Jitangar and Michele Russo serving as co-consecrators.[3]

From 30 January 2014 until 18 February 2017, he also served as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Doba.[1]

On 10 October 2018, Pope Francis transferred him from Laï to the Diocese of Sarh. He was installed on 10 November 2018.[4][5]

On 16 July 2026, Pope Leo XIV accepted his resignation upon reaching the canonical retirement age of 75 and appointed Capuchin priest Jean Miguina as his successor.[6][7][8]

References

  1. 1.[1.2][1.3]Cheney, David M. "Bishop Miguel Ángel Sebastián Martínez, M.C.C.J." Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  2. 2."Misioneros y luego obispos". Alfa y Omega. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  3. 3."Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Vol. 91 (1999)" (PDF). Acta Apostolicae Sedis. 91: 326. 1999.
  4. 4."Rinunce e nomine, 10.10.2018". Holy See Press Office. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  5. 5."El Obispo de Chad (África) agradece la solidaridad de Manzanares". Alfa y Omega. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  6. 6."Rinunce e nomine, 16.07.2026". Holy See Press Office. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  7. 7."Pope Leo XIV Accepts Retirement of Bishop of Sarh Diocese in Chad, Appoints Capuchin Priest as Successor". ACI Africa. 16 July 2026. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  8. 8."Chad: Renuncia de Mons. Miguel Ángel Sebastián, obispo de Sarh". Misioneros Combonianos México. 16 July 2026. Retrieved 25 July 2026.