Bishop orders removal of Opus Dei statue in Segovia

Spanish Bishop José María Fernández has reignited a long‑standing dispute with Opus Dei over a Marian statue in the Cathedral of Segovia, saying the image violates canonical norms. The clash erupted on March 15, 2024, when Fernández publicly demanded the statue’s removal after a 2022 decision by Opus Dei to install a 1.5‑metre‑high sculpture of Our Lady of the Rosary in the cathedral’s transept.

The dispute stems from a broader conflict between the bishop’s diocese and the Catholic institution, which has a history of exerting influence over liturgical practices in Spain. In 2021, Fernández had already warned that Opus Dei’s devotional practices were “inconsistent with the diocesan liturgical guidelines.” The statue, installed in 2019, had become a focal point for local pilgrimages and was promoted by Opus Dei as a symbol of its mission to “renew Catholic devotion.” Fernández argues that the image’s placement and the associated devotions have been used to advance Opus Dei’s particular spirituality, potentially confusing the faithful and undermining diocesan authority.

Opus Dei has responded that the statue is a legitimate Catholic devotional object and that its placement complies with