Urgell Bishop Announces Major Parish Leadership Reconfiguration Effective 2026

Bishop Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat, Episcopal Co-Prince of Andorra and Bishop of Urgell, has detailed a sweeping reconfiguration of parish leadership across the diocese, including several Andorran parishes, effective 1 September 2026. The appointments, signed on 28 May to mark the feast of Sant Just, introduce a new Episcopal Council for enhanced pastoral coordination and feature prominent shifts in Escaldes-Engordany and Sant Julià de Lòria.

Antoni Elvira i Gorgorió, who has served two years as rector of Sant Pere Màrtir in Escaldes-Engordany while acting as vicar for pastoral action and director of the diocesan school for ongoing formation, now steps into the role of vicar general and Curia moderator—the diocese's second-in-command. He will also chair the Episcopal Council. David Codina Pérez, formerly general secretary and Curia chancellor as well as diocesan economist, succeeds him as rector of Sant Pere Màrtir, retaining his economist duties. Anna Maria Villas takes over Codina's prior administrative roles.

In Sant Julià de Lòria, Pere Chisvert—locally known as mossèn Pepe or Mn. Josep Chisvert—ends his tenure as rector to represent the first circumscription on the Episcopal Council, covering the archpriestries of Núria-Cerdanya, Alt Urgell, and Andorra's Valls. He will additionally oversee Sant Ot parish in La Seu d'Urgell and multiple communities in Alt Urgell. Joan Pau Esteban i Osma, previously rector in Sort, replaces him and assumes responsibility for Santa Coloma church in Andorra la Vella.

The Episcopal Council, established under canon 473 and the Urgell Presbyteral Council's statutes, includes the vicar general alongside one priest per circumscription: Chisvert for the first, Jaume Mayoral i Martí for Urgell Mitjà and Noguera, and Alfons Velásquez i Castañeda for Vall d’Aran, Vall de Boí, and Els Pallars. The initiative seeks to adapt church structures to current territorial needs amid demographic and pastoral shifts, improving coordination across parishes.

The changes extend to other areas like Cerdanya, Pallars, and Noguera, with priests taking on expanded duties. Further details on implementation are expected.