José Horacio Gómez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Excellency, The Most Reverend José Horacio Gómez Velasco |
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| Archbishop of Los Angeles | |
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| Archdiocese | Los Angeles |
| Appointed | April 6, 2010 (Coadjutor) |
| Enthroned | March 1, 2011 |
| Predecessor | Roger Mahony |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | August 15, 1978 |
| Consecration | March 26, 2001 by Charles Chaput, Joseph Fiorenza, and Javier Echevarría Rodríguez |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | José Horacio Gómez Velasco |
| Born | December 26, 1951 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican & American |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater |
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| Motto | Adeamus cum fiducia ad thronum gratiae (Let us confidently approach the throne of grace) |
| Coat of arms |  |
José Horacio Gómez Velasco (born December 26, 1951) is a Mexican-American prelate of the Catholic Church. A prelate is a high-ranking religious leader. He became the fifth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in California in 2011. An archbishop leads a large area of Catholic churches called an archdiocese.
Before coming to Los Angeles, he was an auxiliary bishop in Denver, Colorado, from 2001 to 2004. He then served as archbishop of San Antonio, Texas, from 2004 to 2010. From 2019 to 2022, Archbishop Gómez was the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). He was the first person of Hispanic background to hold this important position.
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Early Life and Education
José Horacio Gómez Velasco was born in Monterrey, Mexico, on December 26, 1951. His parents were José H. Gómez and Esperanza Velasco. He has three older sisters and one younger sister.
He studied at the Monterrey Institute of Technology. Later, he attended the National University of Mexico. There, he earned degrees in Accounting and Philosophy in 1975. While in college, he joined Opus Dei. This is a Catholic organization that teaches people to find holiness in their everyday lives.
From 1975 to 1980, Gómez continued his studies in Spain at the University of Navarre. He earned a bachelor's degree and a special license in theology there.
Becoming a Priest
On August 15, 1978, José Gómez was ordained as a priest of Opus Dei. This ceremony took place in Spain. In 1980, he earned his Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from the University of Navarre.
After his studies, he worked with college and high school students in Spain and Mexico. From 1987 to 1999, he lived in San Antonio, Texas. He helped with church work at Our Lady of Grace Parish. He also helped in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in Katy, Texas. Gómez became a U.S. citizen in 1995.
Gómez was very involved with Hispanic priests and ministries. He became president of the National Association of Hispanic Priests in 1995. He also helped create the Hispanic Seminary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. This seminary opened in August 2000. He also helped start Centro San Juan Diego in Denver, Colorado. This center helps train church leaders and welcomes immigrants.
His Career as a Bishop
Auxiliary Bishop in Denver
On January 23, 2001, Pope John Paul II chose Gómez to be an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Denver. An auxiliary bishop helps the main bishop of an archdiocese. He became a bishop on March 26, 2001. His special motto as a bishop is "Let us confidently approach the throne of grace."
Gómez was the first member of Opus Dei to become a bishop in the United States. As a bishop, he reports directly to the Pope. He served as the leader of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver from 2001 to 2003. He also served as a pastor at Mother of God Church.
Archbishop in San Antonio
On December 29, 2004, Gómez was appointed archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. In 2005, Time magazine named him one of the 25 most influential Hispanic people in the United States. In 2007, CNN also listed him as a "Notable Hispanic."
During his time in San Antonio, Archbishop Gómez worked to strengthen Catholic teachings. He helped create the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL). This group brings together Hispanic leaders and Catholic bishops. He also supported the traditional Latin Mass, saying it would help preserve the Church's rich heritage.
Archbishop Gómez is a member of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. This is a group that advises the Pope on matters in Latin America. He is also on the board of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He has led delegations to help countries like Haiti after natural disasters.
Archbishop in Los Angeles
On April 6, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Gómez as coadjutor archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. A coadjutor bishop is appointed to assist a diocesan bishop and has the right to succeed him. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the largest Catholic area in the United States. More than two-thirds of its five million Catholics are Hispanic.
Gómez became the official archbishop on March 1, 2011. He is the first Hispanic person to be the archbishop of Los Angeles. He is also the highest-ranking Hispanic bishop in the United States. He is known for bringing people together, including different ethnic groups and economic backgrounds.
In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Gómez to a special meeting of bishops. This meeting focused on spreading the Christian message in new ways. In 2012, he was also appointed to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. This group advises the Pope on media and communication.
Since 2011, Archbishop Gómez has supported the revival of a Marian procession and Mass. This event celebrates the founding of Los Angeles. He has been the main leader of this annual Mass since 2012. In 2019, he was elected president of the USCCB. This made him the first Latino bishop to hold this important role.
His Views and Beliefs
Supporting Immigrants
Archbishop Gómez has always been a strong supporter of immigrants. This includes those who do not have legal documents. In 2013, he wrote a book called Immigration and the Next America. In his book, he explained how the rights of immigrants connect to the core values of the American tradition.
Views on Euthanasia
In 2015, Archbishop Gómez spoke out against a law that would allow terminally ill adults to seek medication to end their lives. He wrote a letter saying that such a law would be dangerous. He especially worried about its impact on people who are poor or vulnerable. He believes that helping someone die, even if they ask for it, is still wrong.
Fighting Racism
In 2020, Archbishop Gómez released a statement for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He strongly condemned the murder of George Floyd. He called it "senseless and brutal." He said that the protests that followed showed the "justified frustration and anger of millions." He also spoke out against "humiliation, indignity, and unequal opportunity" based on race. The archbishop asked for more understanding and for racism to be removed from all parts of society.
See also
- Catholic Church hierarchy
- Catholic Church in the United States
- Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States
- List of Catholic bishops of the United States
- Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
In Spanish: José Horacio Gómez para niños
