Archbishop José H. Gomez will serve as the first Latino vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The archbishop was elected vice president Nov. 15 in Baltimore and will serve alongside Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, who was elected president.
Cardinal DiNardo, who spoke at this year’s Prayer Breakfast at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, had served three years as vice president and most onlookers expected him to be elected president, per USCCB tradition.
Pope Francis tapped both Cardinal DiNardo and Archbishop Gomez to serve as delegates during the 2015 Synod on the Family.
Archbishop Gomez, who was born in Monterrey, Mexico, has worked extensively in Hispanic ministry and has played a key role in creating the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders. He has spoken out on pro-life issues — including abortion, assisted suicide and the death penalty — as well as on immigration.
Look for more coverage in next week’s issue.
