Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez is a retired Archbishop of Guadalajara, Mexico, known for his outspoken views upholding the Church’s teaching and his fearlessness in expressing them.

Born on March 28, 1933, in Yahualica, Jalisco, Mexico, Sandoval grew up in a large Christian family, being the eldest of twelve siblings. At the young age of twelve, he entered the Guadalajara seminary in 1945, marking the beginning of his ecclesiastical journey.

In 1952, Sandoval was sent to Rome to continue his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University. After eight years of rigorous study, he obtained a degree in philosophy and a doctorate in dogmatic theology. His academic achievements culminated in a thesis on “The theology of preaching in St John of Avila.” Sandoval was ordained priest on October 27, 1957, on the solemnity of Christ the King.

Returning to Guadalajara in 1961, Sandoval took on various roles at the diocesan seminary, including spiritual director, Prefect of Discipline, and teacher in the Faculty of Philosophy. His leadership qualities were recognized, and he was appointed vice-rector of the Guadalajara seminary in 1971, eventually becoming rector in 1980.

Sandoval’s ecclesiastical career continued to flourish. On March 3, 1988, he was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and received his episcopal ordination on April 30 of the same year. He became the Bishop of Ciudad Juárez on July 11, 1992.

A significant milestone in Sandoval’s career came on April 21, 1994, when Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Guadalajara. Later that year, on November 26, 1994, he was created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope John Paul II, with the title of Nostra Signora di Guadalupe e S. Filippo martire in Via Aurelia.

Throughout his tenure, Cardinal Sandoval participated in important Church events, including the conclaves that elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and Pope Francis in 2013. He served as Archbishop of Guadalajara until his retirement on December 7, 2011, at the age of 78.

In 1997, he served as general relator of the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops.

Cardinal Sandoval is known for his orthodox views and being forthright in expressing them. He was one of five signatories of a dubia sent to Pope Francis ahead of the Synod on Synodality in 2023 aimed at clarifying the nature of synods and their doctrinal authority. In a candid interview at the time, he emphasized that “a synod does not have doctrinal authority,” raising concerns about the potential implications of granting it such authority.

In recent years, Sandoval has been a vocal supporter of the traditional Roman liturgy and urged the Pope not to go through with the restrictions of Traditionis Custodes.