A SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF BISHOP PIO ESPINA
Written by Fr. Gerard McKee, CMRI
I have known Bishop Pio Espina since my first visit to Argentina as Bishop Pivarunas’ companion in 1995. He belongs to an Institute called Mater Dei,* a Pious Union of Priests founded in 1995, residing at a former Dominican Monastery/School in the Province of Cordoba, Argentina. His complete name is Pio Carlos Espina Leupold (Espina is his father’s family name; Leupold is his mother’s family name).
He began clerical studies with his older brother, Fr. Julian Espina (who was ordained by Bishop Moises Carmona y Ribera in Mexico in 1991). He received the first Orders from Bishop Pivarunas. Later on, because of a car accident of his brother (Fr. Julian), he went to finish his studies in the Most Holy Trinity Seminary in Michigan, with the approval of Bishop Pivarunas. He was ordained by Bishop Donald Sanborn on June 14, 2003 (in Michigan, USA). His priestly activities were in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil.
After 19 years as a priest, and in order to provide for [the Holy Sacraments of] Confirmations and Ordinations, especially in the face of travel restrictions due to the recent “health crisis,” he was consecrated bishop by Bishop Martin Davila Gandara of the Priestly Society of Trent (from Mexico) on February 16, 2022 in Cordoba, Argentina. [Bp. Davila was consecrated by Bp. Pivarunas in 1999 in Acapulco, Mexico.] Bishop Mark Pivarunas, CMRI** requested this favor since with the difficulties of travel in early 2021 he was not able to make the journey.
Since his Consecration, Bishop Espina has ordained one priest in Argentina and another for the traditional First Order Franciscan Community in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. He has continued his former travels to Chapels in Argentina, Chile and Brazil, and had to add a few new places, especially in Brazil, to administer Confirmations. He and his brother continue training Seminarians from Argentina and Brazil at Mater Dei. When he travels eight hours to spend two Sundays at a new mission in the north of Argentina (entrusted to them by a priest from Buenos Aires), he gives classes over the internet by Skype.
When he learned of the need for clergy to offer Mass for the Philippine Mission, Bishop Espina offered to travel, should it be needed, to assist the priests who work with Bishop Pivarunas in the Asia–Pacific Mission of the CMRI.
* Currently, the Institute has three priests, one bishop, several seminarians (among whom are two subdeacons), and a few Franciscan Third Order lay Brothers. Its present Superior is Fr. Julian Espina.
** Bishop Mark A. Pivarunas is the Superior General of the Congregation of Mary Immaculate Queen (CMRI).
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Bishop Espina’s Coat of Arms
The tree with the fruits is taken from the Espina family coat of arms, and the anchor from the Leupold family coat of arms. Aside from representing his family, the tree with the fruits [also] symbolizes Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the anchor symbolizes Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary. The words written at the bottom “Per Ipsum, Et cum Ipso, Et in Ipso” are taken from the Minor Elevation in the Canon of the Mass: Through Him, with Him, and in Him. The blue (sky) and white colors are the colors of Our Lady and the flag of Argentina, his country.
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SOME PHOTOS FROM HIS EPISCOPAL CONSECRATION
[ Taken from the February 2022 Issue of the Adsum, the Monthly Seminary Newsletter of the CMRI ]
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The newly consecrated bishop, Bishop Pio Espina, with his consecrator, Bishop Martin Davila
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1. The Bishop elect prostrates during the Litany of the Saints
2. The book of Gospels is placed on the shoulders of the Bishop elect to signify his duty to teach all nations all things whatsoever Christ has commanded (Matt. 28:19)
3. The newly consecrated bishop’s hands are anointed with sacred chrism
4. The consecrating bishop presents the crosier to the newly consecrated bishop: “Receive the staff of the pastoral office, so that in the correction of vices you may be lovingly severe, giving judgment without wrath, softening the minds of your hearers whilst fostering virtues, not neglecting strictness of discipline through love of tranquility. Amen.”
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OTHER PHOTOS
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With Bishop Pivarunas, U.S.A.
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With the newly ordained Franciscan priest, Fr. Bonaventure (3rd from right), Brazil
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With his brother, Fr. Julian Espina (seated, left), Fr. Gerard McKee, CMRI (seated, right), and the other Clergy and Seminarians of Mater Dei Institute, Argentina
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INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP ESPINA
[ May 6, 2023 ]
This interview was done by Kieran Brennan for the series “Indefectible!” of the Catholic Family Podcast.
The Bishop talked about his apostolate in Argentina, the issue of Bergoglio and Vatican II, the love of Truth and the love of God, and how we could persevere.
Watch the interview here.
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N.B. Bishop Espina visited the Philippines /Asian Missions from 12 October – 2 November, 2023. A Photo Album was created to commemorate the historic event, and it incorporates the many valuable lessons learned from His Excellency. The Album is accessible here.
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Laus Tibi Christe!
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Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity 