WASHINGTON— Pope Francis has appointed the Most Reverend Oscar Cantú as
Coadjutor Bishop of San Jose, California. Bishop Cantú was up until now Bishop
of Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The appointment was publicized in
Washington on July 11, 2018, by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio
to the United States.

Bishop Cantú was born in Houston on
December 5, 1966. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of
Dallas, and received his Masters in Divinity and Masters in Theological Studies
from the University of St. Thomas, also in Houston. He also attended the
Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned his Licentiate in
Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) as well as his Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.).
Bishop Cantú was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Houston in 1994.

He spent his priestly career working in
parishes throughout the Houston metropolitan area. His first assignment was as
parochial vicar at St. Christopher Parish. He also taught at the University of
St. Thomas and at St. Mary’s Seminary. He served as pastor at Holy Name Parish.
He was involved in the Christian Family movement; conducted retreats and worked
with the Engaged Encounter ministry. Bishop Cantú was also involved in The
Metropolitan Organization (TMO) that addresses social issues in the community.

Bishop Cantú was appointed and then
ordained Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio and Titular Bishop of Dardano in 2008.
In 2013, Bishop Cantú was appointed as bishop of the Diocese of Las Cruces, NM.
He was installed as bishop on February 28, 2013.

Bishop Oscar Cantú is the former Chairman
of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on International
Justice and Peace. He is currently a member of the USCCB Subcommittee on the
Church in Latin America and Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs.

Most Rev. Cantú was one of two delegates
chosen by the Bishops’ Conference to represent the USCCB at Pope Francis’ visit
to Mexico in 2016.

The Diocese of San Jose is
comprised of 1,300 square miles in the state of California and has a total
population of 1,918,044 of which 620,000 or 32.32 percent are Catholic.

—

Keywords: U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Pope Francis, Archbishop Christophe
Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio, Bishop Oscar Cantú, Diocese of San Jose, Las Cruces.

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Media Contact:

Judy Keane

202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops