Joan-Enric Vives i Sicília (Catalan: [ʒuˈan ənˈriɡ ˈbiβəz i siˈsili.ə]; born 24 July 1949) is a Spanish prelate of the Catholic Church who has served as Bishop of Urgell and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 2003. He has had the personal title of archbishop since 2019.

Quick Facts The Most Reverend Archbishop, Co-Prince of Andorra ...
The Most Reverend Archbishop
Joan-Enric Vives
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Vives in 2016
Co-Prince of Andorra
Reign12 May 2003 – present
PredecessorJoan Martí i Alanis
Co-PrinceJacques Chirac (until 2007)
Nicolas Sarkozy (2007–2012)
François Hollande (2012–2017)
Emmanuel Macron (2017–)
Bishop of Urgell
SeeUrgell
Appointed25 June 2001 (Coadjutor)
Installed12 May 2003
PredecessorJoan Martí i Alanis
Previous post(s)Coadjutor Bishop of Urgell (2001–2003)
Auxiliary Bishop of Barcelona (1993–2001)
Titular Bishop of Nona (1993–2001)
Orders
Ordination24 September 1974
Consecration5 September 1993
by Ricardo María Carles Gordó
RankArchbishop ad personam
Personal details
Born (1949-07-24) 24 July 1949 (age 75)
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
Parents
  • Cornèlia Sicília Ibáñez
  • Francesc Vives i Pons
MottoParare vias Domini
Coat of armsJoan Enric Vives i Sicília's coat of arms
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Biography

Vives i Sicília was born on 24 July 1949 in Barcelona, the third son of Francesc Vives i Pons and Cornèlia Sicília Ibáñez, who were small retailers.[1] He entered the seminary in 1965 and studied humanities, philosophy and theology.[2] In 1974, Vives was ordained a priest in his native parish of Santa Maria del Taulat de Barcelona.[1]

On 9 June 1993 he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Barcelona and titular bishop of Nona.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on 5 September from Ricardo María Carles Gordó, Archbishop of Barcelona.[citation needed] Pope John Paul II named him coadjutor bishop of Urgell on 25 June 2001.[4] Upon the retirement of his predecessor Joan Martí Alanis on 12 May 2003, Vives succeeded as Bishop of Urgell and co-prince of Andorra.[5] On 10 July 2003, he took the Constitutional Oath as Co-Prince of Andorra at Casa de la Vall, Andorra la Vella. Vives i Sicília was given the personal title of archbishop by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 March 2010.[6]

On 12 July 2024, shortly before Vives reached the age of 75 when he was required to submit his resignation, Pope Francis named Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat as coadjutor bishop of Urgell, to succeed Vives when his resignation is accepted.[7][8]

Foreign honours

References

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