Setién Alberro, José Mª

José María Setién Alberro (1928, Hernani - Donostia 2018) conducted his ecclesiastic studies at the Seminary of Vitoria and Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome, where he obtained a degree in Sacred Theology and a doctorate in Canon Law.

He was ordained in 1951 and appointed professor of Moral Theology at the Seminary of Vitoria in 1955. In 1960 he was a professor at the Pontifical University of Salamanca, in both the faculties of Canon Law and Theology, where he was appointed dean.

José María Setién held the tenure of spiritual director at the Seminary of Vitoria; vice-chancellor of the El Salvador School in Salamanca, for those finding their vocation late in life, and parochial vicar of the Diocese of Santander.

In 1972 he was appointed titular bishop of Zama Minor and auxiliary bishop of San Sebastián, being consecrated bishop by bishop Jacinto Argaya at Buen Pastor Cathedral that same year. From 1979 to 2000, José María Setién was bishop of San Sebastián.

In 2003 the Regional Council of Gipuzkoa awarded him the Gipuzkoako Urrezko Domina: a distinction for his work carried out in favour of truth and human rights.

His latest publications include: De la Ética y el Nacionalismo (2003); A los 40 Años de la Pacem in terris. Innovación y actualidad (2003); Pueblo Vasco y Soberanía (2003); Unidad de España y Juicio Ético (2004); Bases éticas para la paz. Reflexiones actuales sobre la Pacem in terris (2004); Al servicio de la paz en la Justicia (2006); Laicidad del Estado e Iglesia (2007); and Un Obispo Vasco ante ETA (2007).

Foto: Javi Colmenero

Interview with Euskonews