Monsignor Carlos Tomás Morel Diplán, the recently appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Santo Domingo, has outlined the Roman Catholic Church’s critical priorities, in an interview with the. Corripio Media Group. As the new speaker for the institution, Morel Diplán emphasized that the Catholic Church remains deeply concerned with four primary social issues: the state of the educational system, the rise in disappearances, the challenges of migration, and the environmental and social impacts of mining.
Addressing the administration of the Catholic Church in the Dominican Republic, Monsignor Morel Diplán clarified public misconceptions regarding ecclesiastical financing. He explicitly stated that the Catholic Church is not sustained by the Dominican government. While dioceses receive approximately 500,000 pesos monthly, he explained that these funds are strictly allocated for social, educational, and community development projects, rather than for the maintenance of the Church’s structure or clergy.
The Coadjutor Archbishop also highlighted the logistical and pastoral magnitude of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, which currently encompasses 160 parishes and is served by approximately 230 priests. He noted that the rapid urbanization of the capital presents unique challenges that require a renewed pastoral approach to effectively reach and serve the faithful in these expanding metropolitan areas.
In his new role, Morel Diplán serves with the “right of succession,” meaning he will eventually succeed the current archbishop Francisco Ozoria who is expected to retire this year when he reaches the retirement age of 75 years.
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El Dia
El Dia
15 January 2026