By Araceli M. Cantero - Florida Catholic
MIAMI | The heavy rain did not stop Catholics from taking to the streets of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Miami to pay tribute to the man who was pastor for 34 years and to whom the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County have dedicated a street.
Father Juan Manuel López, who retired in 2022 and now lives in a senior residence in Logroño, Spain, cared for by his family, was honored.
The affection of his parishioners for their former pastor endures, and they succeeded in getting the Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami to co-designate a part of SW 9th Avenue, between SW 12th Avenue and SW 26th Road, bordering the school and rectory to the east, as Fr. Juan M. López Way.
Photographer: ARACELI CANTERO | FC
During the street naming ceremony in honor of Father Juan López, who was the pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church for 34 years, several attendees spoke about his legacy. From left, Father Juan P. Hernández, the current pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul; Eileen Higgins, Miami-Dade County commissioner; Sophia Priovolos, eighth-grade student at Sts. Peter and Paul School; and Carlota Morales, former principal of Sts. Peter and Paul School. Due to persistent rain, the ceremony was held inside the church Sept. 12, 2025.
The unveiling of the plaque on Saturday, Sept. 12, had to take place inside the church due to heavy rain. It was preceded by brief addresses from the podium by representatives of the city and county, as well as by Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Esteban Delgado, who represented Archbishop Thomas Wenski. Priests, community members, and the parish choir also participated. A large painting of Father López honored him.
Father Juan P. Hernández, the current pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul, welcomed everyone and, in his invocation, thanked Father López for his vocation to the priesthood and his years of service to the parish.
"We are here to honor a person who has dedicated himself to the people with service and love," said County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, noting that love for God and for the people had been two crucial elements in Father López's life.
Photographer: ARACELI CANTERO | FC
Attendees at the ceremony to name a street in honor of Father Juan López, pastor of St. Peter and Paul Church in Miami for 34 years, applaud as the sign is unveiled Sept. 12, 2025. Due to persistent rain, the ceremony took place inside the church.
For 25 years, Father Juan Luis Sánchez, now retired, lived with Father López in the rectory. Father Sánchez recalled his arrival in the then-Diocese of Miami in 1964 as part of the Hispanic-American Priestly Cooperation Project (OCSHA), created in 1949 by Spanish bishops to send priests to Latin America. The presence of many Hispanics in South Florida prompted the arrival of these missionary priests. Along with Father López, two retired priests also arrived in Miami: Father José Paniagua and Father José Luis Hernando.
"Thank you for everything you taught us," said Sophia Priovolos, an eighth-grade student at Sts. Peter and Paul School. Carlota Morales, former principal of the school for many years, also spoke. She emphasized that the tribute not only honored the man but also his legacy to the faith.
"Education was a priority for Father López," Morales said. “He preached by example, with firmness and serenity.” She added that the street, named after him “is a witness to his strong and firm steps.”
Photographer: ARACELI CANTERO | FC
Frank Lengyel, a parishioner at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Miami, raises the Fr. Juan M. López Way street sign during the unveiling ceremony honoring Fr. López, the church's pastor for 34 years. In conjunction with Miami-Dade County, the city of Miami co-designated a section of SW 9th Avenue in front of the parish in honor of the priest. Due to rain, the event took place inside the church on September 12, 2025.
In addition to sharing anecdotes with Father López, his pastor over the years, historian Paul George provided information about the parish, and the plot of land purchased by the diocese in 1939 for $10.
“Father López did so much for the city and the community of St. Peter,” said City of Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, recalling places and dates of the priest's service, “always with passion and faith.”
Father Lopez was ordained a priest in 1962 in Spain. He arrived in Miami in 1964 and served at the parishes of St. Rose of Lima, St. Mary Cathedral, St. Brendan, St. Ann Mission in Naranja, St. Raymond, and from 1986 to 2022 at Sts. Peter and Paul.
Auxiliary Bishop Delgado also recalled biographical details of Father López’s trajectory, praising his 67 years of priesthood “with a missionary heart.”
Photographer: ARACELI CANTERO | FC
The Fr. Juan M. López Way street sign was unveiled on September 12, 2025, on the street in front of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Miami in honor of Fr. López, who was pastor of that church for 34 years.
Father Hernández read a letter from Father López expressing his gratitude for the tribute. “Since my retirement, I remember with fondness and nostalgia the years I lived in the parish,” he said.
Some guests approached the presbytery, and with all of them in the background, the plaque was unveiled amid applause and cheers for Father Lopez.
Frank Lengyel, a parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul, acknowledged the parish members who had made the tribute possible by creating the Father López Legacy Committee (FLLC).
In Spanish and English, Lengyel expressed, "We celebrate and recognize the impact he had on us and all the communities he served. His legacy will live on forever. We love him!"
As the drizzle continued under a blue awning in front of the church, guests exchanged greetings and shared pastries and soft drinks.
Photographer: ARACELI CANTERO | FC
Dozens of parishioners attended the street naming ceremony in honor of Father Juan M. López, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Miami for 34 years. Due to persistent rain, the ceremony was held inside the church Sept. 12, 2025.
