Celestino Aós Braco was born in Artaiz, in Navarre, Spain, on 6 April 1945. He made his first Capuchin vows on 15 August 1964 and was ordained a priest on 30 March 1968. After a licentiate in psychology at the University of Barcelona, he was sent to Chile in 1983, where he served in parishes, as superior of the Capuchin community in Los Ángeles, and in the diocesan tribunal of Valparaíso.
Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Copiapó on 25 July 2014. In March 2019, amid the Chilean abuse crisis, Francis gave him the additional charge of Apostolic Administrator of Santiago, succeeding the resigned Cardinal Ezzati; on 27 December 2019 he was named Archbishop of Santiago. At his installation a small group of protesters lit gas canisters in the cathedral, accusing him of complicity with the government.
Francis created him a cardinal on 28 November 2020, with the title of Santi Nereo e Achilleo, and he has been president of the Chilean Episcopal Conference since 2021. His resignation as archbishop was accepted on 25 October 2023.
Consequential Quotes
If they felt humiliated, I ask forgiveness, it was not the intent.
Major Works & Initiatives
Archbishop of Santiago de Chile
Appointed to rebuild the capital's Church after the abuse crisis.
President of the Chilean Episcopal Conference
Leads Chile's bishops.
Bishop of Copiapó
First episcopal see, in the Atacama region.
Controversies
The “implausible” abuse complaint (2007)
While Promotor of Justice in Valparaíso in 2007, Aós heard but judged “implausible” a seminarian's sexual-abuse complaint against a former seminary rector; the seminarian filed no formal complaint. Aós later said he had a “clear conscience” about having done the work he was asked to do, noting it was not his role to pass sentence.
Communion for the kneeling (2019)
In April 2019 he refused Communion to at least two people who knelt to receive it, though norms permit standing or kneeling. He distributed to kneeling communicants the following week, and in an interview said that anyone who felt humiliated had his apology.