(ANS – Florida) – During an emotional celebration held on May 31, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three, the Diocese of Florida-Durazno witnessed a memorable event with the episcopal ordination and installation of Bishop Alfonso Bauer, a Salesian of Don Bosco, as its fifth bishop.

The celebration was presided over by the Cardinal Archbishop of Montevideo, Salesian Cardinal Daniel Sturla, whose archdiocese is the metropolitan see of the Diocese of Florida-Durazno. On this occasion, he emphasized that Bishop Alfonso Bauer is the first bishop ordained in Uruguay since the beatification of Bishop Jacinto Vera, the first bishop of Montevideo, who was beatified in May 2023.

During the sacred rite, Cardinal Sturla conferred upon Bishop Bauer the symbols of the episcopacy: the anointing with sacred chrism, the episcopal ring, and the miter. Subsequently, Bishop Martín Pérez Scremini, Bishop Emeritus of Florida-Durazno, presented him with the crosier.

At the conclusion of the celebration, Bishop Bauer offered words of gratitude to all those present and to the many people who have accompanied him throughout his priestly ministry and personal journey.

The ceremony was attended by all of the new bishop’s family members—including his mother—as well as numerous civil and religious authorities and a large gathering of the faithful who filled the church to witness this event of great significance, not only for the faithful of the Diocese of Florida-Durazno, but for the entire Catholic Church in Uruguay.

Bishop Alfonso Bauer was born on July 23, 1968, made his first religious profession as a Salesian of Don Bosco on January 31, 1988, and was ordained a priest on November 16, 1996, in Montevideo. For the Salesian St. Joseph Province of Uruguay (URU), he has held various responsibilities, including Provincial Councilor (2003–2008; 2012–2017); Delegate for Youth Ministry and Vocations Ministry (2004–2006), Vocations Ministry (2006–2008), and Formation (2008–2009); Vice Provincial (2012–2017); and Provincial (2018–2024).

At the time of his episcopal appointment by Pope Leo XIV, he was serving as Rector and Novice Director of the Novitiate of the Salesian Provinces of the Southern Cone of America, based in Montevideo (2024–2026). Bishop Bauer also served as Vice President (2018–2021) and President (2021–2025) of the Conference of Religious of Uruguay.