From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia José Horacio Gómez
José Horacio Gómez
The Most Reverend mandatory retirement age.[3][4][5] He officially succeeded
José Horacio Gómez Mahony to become Archbishop of Los Angeles on March
1, 2011.[6][7]
Archbishop of Los Angeles
See Los Angeles
Early life and education
Enthroned March 1, 2011
(&100000000000000000000000 years, Gómez was born in Monterrey, Mexico, to José H. Gómez
&10000000000000301000000301 days) and Esperanza Velasco.[8] One of five children, he has
three older sisters and one younger sister.[8] He attended
Predecessor Roger Mahony
the Monterrey Institute of Technology before entering
Successor incumbent the National University of Mexico, where he earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Bachelor
Other posts Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles (2010
- 2011) of Arts degree in Philosophy in 1975.[8] In college he
Archbishop of San Antonio (2004-2010) joined Opus Dei, a Catholic organization founded by Saint
Auxiliary Bishop of Denver (2001-2004) Josemaría Escrivá that teaches people to seek holiness in
their ordinary activities.[3]
Orders
Gómez left his native country to study at the Rome
Ordination August 15, 1978 campus of the University of Navarre, earning his B.A. in
Consecration March 26, 2001 Theology in 1978.[9]
Personal details
Priesthood
Born December 26, 1951 (1951-12-26)
Monterrey, Mexico On August 15, 1978, Gómez was ordained a priest of Opus
Dei by Cardinal Franz König at the Shrine of Torreciudad
Styles of in Spain.[1][9] He obtained a Doctor of Sacred Theology
José Horacio Gómez from the main campus of the University of Navarre at
Pamplona in 1980.[9] He then pursued pastoral work with
college and high school students in Spain and Mexico.[3]
From 1987 to 1999, Gómez was in residence at Our Lady
of Grace Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he assisted
Reference style The Most Reverend in the pastoral work of the parish.[8] During this period,
he also helped in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in
Spoken style His Excellency Katy.[8] He became a U.S. citizen in 1995.[3]
Religious style Monsignor In 1991, Gómez became a regional representative of
the National Association of Hispanic Priests, rising to be-
José Horacio Gómez (born December 26, 1951) is a Mex- come its president in 1995 and later serving as executive
ican-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church in the director from 1999 to 2001.[9] In 2003, he earned the an-
United States, currently serving as the Archbishop of Los nual National Association of Hispanic Priests Award, "El
Angeles. He previously served as Auxiliary Bishop of Den- Buen Pastor".[9] From 1997 to 1998, he served as a
ver from 2001–2004 and as Archbishop of San Antonio member-at-large on the Board of Directors for the Na-
from 2004–2010.[1] tional Catholic Council of Hispanic Ministry, being elect-
Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Gómez was ordained a ed treasurer in 1999.[8] From 1998 to 2000, he was on
priest of Opus Dei in 1978 in Spain.[2] Following his or- the steering committee for Encuentro 2000, a national
dination, he worked for Opus Dei in several capacities in celebration of the Jubilee Year 2000.[8] Along with Car-
his native Mexico and in Texas. In 2001 he was appoint- dinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, he played a key role in
ed auxiliary bishop of Denver and was consecrated bish- the establishment of the Hispanic Seminary of Our Lady
op that year. In 2004 he was appointed archbishop of San of Guadalupe in Mexico City, which opened in August
Antonio. In 2010 Gómez was appointed coadjutor arch- 2000.[8] He also spearheaded the establishment of Centro
bishop of Los Angeles with immediate right of succes- San Juan Diego for Family and Pastoral Care, a place for
sion to Cardinal Roger Mahony, who was approaching his formation of lay leaders and a base to provide welcoming
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia José Horacio Gómez
services to immigrants, in Denver, Colorado.[8] In 1999, tine Mass, saying it would preserve "the rich heritage and
he became the vicar of Opus Dei for Texas.[3] legacy of the Church."[15]
He is a member of the Pontifical Commission for Latin
Episcopal career America in the Roman Curia, and of the Board of Trustees
at The Catholic University of America.[8] As a member of
the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, he is
Auxiliary Bishop of Denver chairman of the Subcommittee for the Church in Latin
On January 23, 2001, Gómez was appointed auxiliary bish- America; in the latter capacity, he led a three-bishop del-
op of the Archdiocese of Denver and titular bishop of egation to Haiti to assess the situation there following
Belali by Pope John Paul II.[1] He received his episcopal its 2010 earthquake.[16] He is also chairman-elect of the
consecration on the following March 26 from Archbishop Committee on Migration, chairman of the Task Force on
Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., with Bishops Joseph the Spanish-language Bible, and a member of the Com-
Fiorenza and Javier Echevarría Rodríguez serving as co- mittee on Doctrine.[3]
consecrators.[1] He is the first numerary member of Opus
Dei to be ordained a bishop in the United States.[10][11] As Archbishop of Los Angeles
a bishop, however, he is no longer a member of the or- The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the largest Catholic
ganization in the sense that he reports to the Pope and diocese in the nation, with Hispanics comprising more
thus does not answer to the prelate in charge of Opus Dei than two-thirds of the archdiocese’s five million
like the other members do.[12] Gomez has said he is not Catholics.[4][14] On April 6, 2010, Gómez was appointed
a "member" of Opus Dei, but rather that he was ordained Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,
a priest in Opus Dei and that his spirituality reflects that California, by Pope Benedict XVI.[1] Gómez succeeded
background.[7] Cardinal Mahony on March 1, 2011, with a transition cer-
As an auxiliary bishop, Gómez served as rector of the emony held on February 27, 2011.[17] He is the first His-
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver from panic to serve as Archbishop of Los Angeles, as well as the
2001 to 2003.[9] He later served as both moderator of the highest-ranking Hispanic bishop in the United States.[14]
curia and pastor of Mother of God Church.[9] "I’m very grateful to the Holy Father for giving me this
opportunity to serve the Church with a mentor and
Archbishop of San Antonio leader like Cardinal Roger Mahony," Archbishop Gomez
Gómez was appointed Archbishop of San Antonio on De- said. "I’m grateful to the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop
cember 29, 2004.[1] In 2005 he was named one of Time Pietro Sambi, for supporting the Holy Father’s confi-
Magazine’s 25 most influential Hispanics in the United dence in me. I will try with all my strength to earn that
States, and in 2007 he was on a CNN’s list of "Notable trust." A Mass of Reception for Archbishop Gomez is
Hispanics" in a web special celebrating Hispanic Heritage scheduled for May 26.[4]
Month.[8] In 2006, Archbishop Gomez officially intro- Considered to be theologically conservative, Gómez
duced The Catholic Community Foundation for the Ro- is also viewed as "a natural conciliator admired for unit-
man Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of San Anto- ing rich and poor and Anglo and Hispanic Catholics..."[18]
nio.[8] In 2007, he was instrumental in bringing together He is regarded as more conservative than his predeces-
Hispanic leaders and Catholic bishops for the creation of sor, Cardinal Mahony.[13][14] Addressing this belief, how-
the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL).[8] ever, Mahony has said, "these labels of ’conservative’ and
During his tenure in San Antonio, Gómez earned a ’liberal’ are really unhelpful in the life of the church",[12]
reputation as an orthodox leader who reversed some of and "I can attest that both of us share a common com-
the more liberal-leaning initiatives in the diocese.[13][14] mitment to Christ and to the Church, and that both of us
He disbanded the chancery’s Justice and Peace Commis- are interested in promoting the teachings of the Church
sion after its members expressed their opposition to a fully as well as bringing the words and example of Christ
state constitutional amendment that banned same-sex to today’s society and world."[19] He also said it would be
marriage.[13] During the 2008 presidential election, he wrong for observers to conclude Gomez was a conserva-
publicly expressed concern when St. Mary’s University, tive because he was a priest of Opus Dei.[12]
the oldest Catholic university in Texas as well as the
Southwest, allowed pro-choice candidate Hillary Rodham On Los Angeles Catholic Schools
Clinton to hold a campaign event on campus.[12] He also In a Tuesday, September 27, 2011 online news article
voiced his concerns when another Catholic university, from Los Angeles posted on the Catholic News Agency
Our Lady of the Lake University, allowed a high-profile home page, Archbishop Gómez stated that Catholic
nun who some claim supports female ordination to be a schools were a necessary mission that needed to contin-
keynote speaker at an event.[14] He welcomed Summorum ue:
Pontificum, which granted greater freedom to the Triden-
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia José Horacio Gómez
"Catholic schools make a "major contribution" to the schools. The initiative could help another 5,000 students
Los Angeles region’s social fabric and to the common annually. The initiative asks supporters to make provi-
good of the country as a whole, Archbishop José H. sions in their trusts or wills for the education foundation.
Gómez said as he encouraged Catholics to be generous in There are 9,000 students on waiting lists for the
supporting their school systems. schools in the archdiocese.
“Education remains essential to our Church’s mis- Archbishop Gomez asked for prayers, especially to
sion. Catholic schools have given generations of immi- the Blessed Virgin Mary, to help Catholics to be “gen-
grants and minority groups a way out of poverty and a erous in supporting the Church’s educational mission of
chance to become leaders in our civic and cultural life, he teaching and proclaiming hope in the name of her Son.
said in a Sept. 23 column in the archdiocesan paper The Education remains essential to our Church’s mission.
Tidings. Catholic schools have given generations of immigrants
“We need to make sure this Catholic mission of hope and minority groups a way out of poverty and a chance
and uplift continues for our newest Americans and in the to become leaders in our civic and cultural life, he said in
face of new challenges in our cities.” a Sept. 23 column in the archdiocesan paper The Tidings.
He said the “most serious” challenge to Catholic “We need to make sure this Catholic mission of hope
schools is meeting the economic needs of families who and uplift continues for our newest Americans and in the
can’t afford the costs of Catholic school tuition. “So we face of new challenges in our cities.”
need to find a way to help,” he said. He said the “most serious” challenge to Catholic
Archbishop Gomez noted the responsibility of clergy, schools is meeting the economic needs of families who
religious, and lay people to work together to grow can’t afford the costs of Catholic school tuition. “So we
Catholic schools and to expand into new areas. need to find a way to help,” he said.
He also praised the accomplishments of the Catholic Archbishop Gomez noted the responsibility of clergy,
school systems. religious, and lay people to work together to grow
“What our students are achieving is really amazing. Catholic schools and to expand into new areas.
And this story is being repeated in Catholic schools all He also praised the accomplishments of the Catholic
across our country,” school systems.
The Catholic schools of the Los Angeles region serve “What our students are achieving is really amazing.
80,000 students. They constitute the third largest school And this story is being repeated in Catholic schools all
system in California. Nearly 70 percent of students are across our country,”
ethnic minorities and more than one in three come from The Catholic schools of the Los Angeles region serve
families living below the poverty line. Catholic schools 80,000 students. They constitute the third largest school
have more than two million students nationwide, 15 per- system in California. Nearly 70 percent of students are
cent of whom are not Catholic. ethnic minorities and more than one in three come from
“I have hoped for a long time that our politicians families living below the poverty line. Catholic schools
and civic leaders would start paying more attention to have more than two million students nationwide, 15 per-
Catholic schools in their search for solutions to our na- cent of whom are not Catholic.
tion’s education problems. Because studies over the years “I have hoped for a long time that our politicians
keep concluding that Catholic schools provide better ed- and civic leaders would start paying more attention to
ucational outcomes at a lower cost than public schools,” Catholic schools in their search for solutions to our na-
Archbishop Gomez said. tion’s education problems. Because studies over the years
Each public school student, on average, is educated at keep concluding that Catholic schools provide better ed-
a cost of $10,300 a year, while Catholic schools spend on- ucational outcomes at a lower cost than public schools,”
ly $7,000 per student. They graduate 99 percent of their Archbishop Gomez said.
students, compared to the 73 percent graduation rate in Each public school student, on average, is educated at
public schools. Catholic schools have higher college en- a cost of $10,300 a year, while Catholic schools spend on-
trance rates and better SAT scores, especially among low- ly $7,000 per student. They graduate 99 percent of their
income and economically disadvantaged students, the students, compared to the 73 percent graduation rate in
archbishop said. public schools. Catholic schools have higher college en-
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Catholic Education trance rates and better SAT scores, especially among low-
Foundation recently received a $11.3 million endowment income and economically disadvantaged students, the
from the Frank and Blanche Seaver Trust, which will en- archbishop said.
sure tuition for at least 600 students in addition to the The Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Catholic Education
7,300 awards already provided. Foundation recently received a $11.3 million endowment
Inspired by the new grant, the archdiocese has from the Frank and Blanche Seaver Trust, which will en-
launched an initiative headed by former Los Angeles sure tuition for at least 600 students in addition to the
mayor Richard Riordan to raise $100 million for Catholic 7,300 awards already provided.
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia José Horacio Gómez
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Archbishop of San Antonio Succeeded by
Patrick Flores 2004 — 2010 Gustavo Garcia-Siller
Preceded by Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles Succeeded by
None 2010 — 2011 None
Preceded by Archbishop of Los Angeles Incumbent
Roger Mahony 2011 — present
Inspired by the new grant, the archdiocese has [4] ^ "POPE APPOINTS COADJUTOR ARCHBISHOP FOR
launched an initiative headed by former Los Angeles LOS ANGELES". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los
mayor Richard Riordan to raise $100 million for Catholic Angeles. 2010-04-02. http://www.archdiocese.la/
schools. The initiative could help another 5,000 students news/story.php?newsid=1169.
annually. The initiative asks supporters to make provi- [5] Press Office of the Holy See
sions in their trusts or wills for the education foundation. [6] ""Cardinal Roger Mahony passes leadership of L.A.
There are 9,000 students on waiting lists for the Archdiocese to Jose Gomez" Retrieved: 2011-02-27".
schools in the archdiocese. Latimes.com. 2011-02-28.
Archbishop Gomez asked for prayers, especially to http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-
the Blessed Virgin Mary, to help Catholics to be “gen- catholic-transition-20110228,0,6713493.story.
erous in supporting the Church’s educational mission of Retrieved 2011-10-29.
teaching and proclaiming hope in the name of her [7] ^ Allen, Jr., John L. (2010-04-09). "Four points to
Son.”[20] make about Gomez and L.A.". National Catholic
Reporter. http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-
Episcopal succession [8]
catholic/four-points-make-about-gomez-and-la.
^ "Most Reverend José H. Gomez, S.T.D.". Roman
Episcopal lineage Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio.
Consecrated by: Charles J. Chaput[21] http://www.archdiosa.org/documents/
BioEnglish_Jul2008.pdf.
Consecrator of [9] ^ "Biography". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver.
Bishop Date of consecration http://www.archden.org/bishop/bg01_bio.htm.
Kevin William Vann July 13, 2005 [10] Palmo, Rocco (2010-04-05). "El Tiempo Ha Venido --
Reports: Gomez Up to LA". Whispers in the Loggia.
Oscar Cantú June 2, 2008
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2010/
04/el-momiento-ha-venido.html.
Sources [11] "American Opus Dei Bishops Outed!". Vaticanisti.
2005-09-30. http://vaticanisti.blogspot.com/2005/
• Most Reverend José H. Gomez, S.T.D. Retrieved:
09/american-opus-dei-bishops-outed.html.
2010-04-06.
[12] ^ Flaccus, Gillian (2010-04-06). "Gomez introduced
• Excelentísimo Monseñor José H. Gomez, S.T.D. Retrieved:
as next leader of LA archdiocese". San Jose Mercury
2010-04-06. (Spanish)
News. http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-
• Archbishop José Horacio Gómez Retrieved: 2010-04-06.
world/ci_14831484.
[13] ^ Landsberg, Mitchell; Shelby Grad (2010-04-06).
References "Mexico-born archbishop to lead Los Angeles
Catholics". Los Angeles Times.
[1] ^ "Archbishop José Horacio Gómez". Catholic-
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/04/
Hierarchy.org. http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/
mexicoborn-archbishop-to-lead-los-angeles-
bishop/bgomezj.html.
catholics.html.
[2] "Bishop Jose H. Gomez named Archbishop of San
[14] ^ Schuker, Lauren A.E.; Ann Zimmerman
Antonio". Opus Dei. 2004-12-29.
(2010-04-06). "Gomez to Lead Los Angeles
http://www.opusdei.us/art.php?p=9287.
Archdiocese". The Wall Street Journal.
[3] ^ "Pope Names San Antonio Archbishop José
http://online.wsj.com/article/
Gomez Coadjutor Archbishop Of Los Angeles".
SB10001424052702303493904575167521690709284.html?mod=WSJ_
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
[15] "Statement regarding Pope Benedict XVI’s
2010-04-06. http://www.usccb.org/comm/
Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum". Roman
archives/2010/10-061.shtml.
Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio.
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia José Horacio Gómez
http://www.archdiosa.org/documents/ [21] David M. Cheney (2011-02-19). "’’Archbishop José
ArcbishopStatement.pdf. Horacio Gómez’’ www.catholic-hierarchy.org
[16] "Haiti Earthquake". United States Conference of Retrieved: 2010-04-07". Catholic-hierarchy.org.
Catholic Bishops. http://www.usccb.org/haiti. http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/
[17] ""Cardinal Mahony Retires" Retrieved: bgomezj.html. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
2011-02-27". Abclocal.go.com. 2011-02-27.
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/
local&id=7981967. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
External links
[18] Van Biema, David (2005-08-13). "Jose Gomez". TIME • Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, Coadjutor, Archdiocese of
Magazine. http://www.time.com/time/nation/ Los Angeles
article/0,8599,1093649,00.html. Persondata
[19] Mahony, Roger (2010-04-06). "COADJUTOR Name Gómez,
ARCHBISHOP NAMED". Cardinal Roger Mahony Blogs José Horacio
L.A..
http://cardinalrogermahonyblogsla.blogspot.com/ Alternative names
2010/04/coadjutor-archbishop-named.html. Short description
[20] "Ensure Catholic schools’ mission can continue, Date of birth 1951-12-26
Archbishop Gomez urges :: Catholic News Agency
Place of birth Monterrey, Mexico
(CNA)". Catholic News Agency. 2011-09-27.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/ Date of death
ensure-catholic-schools-mission-can-continue- Place of death
archbishop-gomez-urges/. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jos%C3%A9_Horacio_G%C3%B3mez&oldid=457937630"
Categories:
• 1951 births
• Living people
• Naturalized citizens of the United States
• Mexican Roman Catholic priests
• Mexican emigrants to the United States
• Opus Dei members
• People from Monterrey
• American Roman Catholic archbishops
• The Catholic University of America trustees
• University of Navarre alumni
• National Autonomous University of Mexico alumni
• Mexican expatriates in the United States
• American people of Mexican descent
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