Joaquín Gimeno Lahoz

Joaquín Gimeno Lahoz (6 October 1948 – 30 June 2026) was a Spanish-born Argentine Roman Catholic prelate and missionary who served as Bishop of Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina, from 2010 until his retirement in 2023.

Early life and priesthood Gimeno Lahoz was born on 6 October 1948 in La Mata de los Olmos, Province of Teruel, Spain. He completed his ecclesiastical studies at the Minor Seminary of Alcorisa and the Major Seminary of Teruel. He was ordained to the priesthood on 29 June 1973 for the Diocese of Teruel by Bishop Victorio Oliver Domingo.

In 1974 he travelled to Argentina as a Fidei Donum missionary through the Obra de Cooperación Sacerdotal Hispanoamericana (OCSHA). He served in the Diocese of Azul as assistant priest in Tandil and Las Flores, later becoming parish priest of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes in Azul and subsequently rector of Azul Cathedral. He also served on the diocesan presbyteral council and was active in diocesan missions.

His episcopate emphasized pastoral outreach in Patagonia, social ministries, and support for isolated rural communities. During his tenure he also promoted diocesan charitable and educational initiatives.

Death Gimeno Lahoz died in Comodoro Rivadavia on 30 June 2026, at the age of 77. His death was announced by the Diocese of Comodoro Rivadavia and prompted tributes from clergy, public officials, and faithful throughout Patagonia, who highlighted his pastoral closeness and decades of missionary service.