Gustavo Garcia-Siller
Encyclopedia
Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S.
(born December 21, 1956) is a Mexican American
prelate
of the Catholic Church of the Western Roman Rite
(often referred to as the Roman Catholic Church). He previously served as an auxiliary bishop
of the Archdiocese of Chicago
and currently serves as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas.
, Mexico
. He entered the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit
in Mexico City
in 1973, and was sent to the United States
in 1980 to minister to migrant worker
s in California
. He also studied at St. John's Seminary
in Camarillo
, from where he obtained Master's degree in Divinity
and a Master's in Theology
.
Garcia-Siller was ordained
to the priesthood
on June 22, 1984, and then served as an associate pastor
at St. Joseph Church in Selma
until 1988. He furthered his studies at the Western Institute of Technology and Higher Education
(ITESO) in Guadalajara
, earning a M.A.
in Psychology
; and at the Pontifical Gregorian University
in Rome
.
From 1990 to 1999, he served as rector
of the Holy Spirit Missionaries' houses of studies in Lynwood
and Long Beach, California
and in Portland
, Oregon
.
On December 15, 1998, Garcia-Siller became a citizen of the United States.
He was rector of his order's theologate in Oxnard
from 1999 to 2002, also serving in three parishes
of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
. He was then named superior
of the Holy Spirit Missionaries' vicar
iate for the United States
and Canada
in 2002.
On January 24, 2003, Garcia-Siller was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
of Chicago
and Titular Bishop
of Oescus
by Blessed Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration
on the following March 19 from His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
, with Bishops Raymond Goedert and Ricardo Watty Urquidi
, M.Sp.S., serving as co-consecrators
. As an auxiliary, he served as Episcopal Vicar
for Vicariate V and the Cardinal's liaison to the Hispanic
community.
On October 14, 2010, the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI
had named Garcia-Siller as the successor to José Horacio Gómez
, who had been named to succeed Cardinal Roger Mahony as Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as Archbishop
of San Antonio
, Texas. The installation took place on November 23, 2010. Along with Archbishop Gómez, he is one of the highest-ranking Mexican-American bishops in the United States. In June 2011, Chicago Auxiliary Bishop-elect Alberto Rojas
was named as the new liaison for Chicago-area Hispanic Catholic concerns.
Missionaries of the Holy Spirit
The Missionaries of the Holy Spirit are a Catholic religious order founded in Mexico City in 1914 by Félix de Jesús Rougier . Rougier was a priest, member of another religious order, the Society of Mary...
(born December 21, 1956) is a Mexican American
Mexican American
Mexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Catholic Church of the Western Roman Rite
Roman Rite
The Roman Rite is the liturgical rite used in the Diocese of Rome in the Catholic Church. It is by far the most widespread of the Latin liturgical rites used within the Western or Latin autonomous particular Church, the particular Church that itself is also called the Latin Rite, and that is one of...
(often referred to as the Roman Catholic Church). He previously served as an auxiliary bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago was established as a diocese in 1843 and as an Archdiocese in 1880. It serves more than 2.3 million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties in Northeastern Illinois, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese is divided into six vicariates and 31 deaneries...
and currently serves as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas.
Biography
The oldest of fifteen children, Gustavo Garcia-Siller was born in San Luis PotosíSan Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí, commonly called SLP or simply San Luis, is the capital of, and most populous city in the Mexican state of the same name. The city lies at an elevation of 1,850 meters...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. He entered the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit
Missionaries of the Holy Spirit
The Missionaries of the Holy Spirit are a Catholic religious order founded in Mexico City in 1914 by Félix de Jesús Rougier . Rougier was a priest, member of another religious order, the Society of Mary...
in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
in 1973, and was sent to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1980 to minister to migrant worker
Migrant worker
The term migrant worker has different official meanings and connotations in different parts of the world. The United Nations' definition is broad, including any people working outside of their home country...
s in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He also studied at St. John's Seminary
St. John's Seminary (California)
St. John's Seminary is a Roman Catholic seminary located in Camarillo, California. It is within the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The seminarians prepare for assignments in dioceses as well as religious orders. St. John's offers the Master of Divinity degree as a...
in Camarillo
Camarillo, California
Camarillo is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. The population was 65,201 at the 2010 census, up from 57,084 at the 2000 census. The Ventura Freeway Camarillo is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. The population was 65,201 at the 2010 census, up from 57,084 at...
, from where he obtained Master's degree in Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
and a Master's in Theology
Master of Theology
A Master of Theology is an advanced theological research degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries.-North America:In North America, the Master of Theology is considered by the Association of Theological Schools to be the minimum educational credential for teaching...
.
Garcia-Siller was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on June 22, 1984, and then served as an associate pastor
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at St. Joseph Church in Selma
Selma, California
Selma is a city in Fresno County, California. The population was 23,219 at the 2010 census, up from 19,240 at the 2000 census. Selma is located southeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 308 feet .-Geography:...
until 1988. He furthered his studies at the Western Institute of Technology and Higher Education
Western Institute of Technology and Higher Education
The Western Institute of Technology and Higher Education , whose tagline is Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, is a Jesuit university in the Western Mexican state of Jalisco, located in the municipality of Tlaquepaque – part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area.The university has...
(ITESO) in Guadalajara
Guadalajara
Guadalajara may refer to:In Mexico:*Guadalajara, Jalisco, the capital of the state of Jalisco and second largest city in Mexico**Guadalajara Metropolitan Area*University of Guadalajara, a public university in Guadalajara, Jalisco...
, earning a M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
; and at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
From 1990 to 1999, he served as rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the Holy Spirit Missionaries' houses of studies in Lynwood
Lynwood, California
Lynwood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 69,772, down from 69,845 at the 2000 census. Lynwood is located near South Gate and Compton in the southern portion of the Los Angeles Basin. Incorporated in...
and Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
and in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
.
On December 15, 1998, Garcia-Siller became a citizen of the United States.
He was rector of his order's theologate in Oxnard
Oxnard, California
Oxnard is the 113th largest city in the United States, 19th largest city in California and largest city in Ventura County, California, by way of population. It is located at the western edge of the fertile Oxnard Plain, and is an important agricultural center, with its distinction as the...
from 1999 to 2002, also serving in three parishes
Parish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S. state of California. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the archdiocese comprises the California counties of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura. The diocesan cathedral is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the...
. He was then named superior
Superior (hierarchy)
In a hierarchy or tree structure of any kind, a superior is an individual or position at a higher level in the hierarchy than another , and thus closer to the apex. It is often used in business terminology to refer to people who are supervisors and in the military to people who are higher in the...
of the Holy Spirit Missionaries' vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
iate for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 2002.
On January 24, 2003, Garcia-Siller was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Chicago
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago was established as a diocese in 1843 and as an Archdiocese in 1880. It serves more than 2.3 million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties in Northeastern Illinois, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese is divided into six vicariates and 31 deaneries...
and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Oescus
Oescus
Oescus, or Palatiolon Palatiolum, was an ancient town in Moesia, northwest of the modern Bulgarian city of Pleven, near the village of Gigen. It is a Daco-Moesian toponym. Ptolemy calls it a Triballian town, but it later became Roman...
by Blessed Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on the following March 19 from His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate is a missionary religious congregation in the Catholic Church. It was founded on January 25, 1816 by Saint Eugene de Mazenod, a French priest born in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France on August 1, 1782. The congregation was given recognition by Pope...
, with Bishops Raymond Goedert and Ricardo Watty Urquidi
Ricardo Watty Urquidi
Ricardo Watty Urquidi was the Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Tepic in Nayarit, Mexico.Born in San Diego, California, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. In 1980 he was named bishop. He died in Tepic on November 1, 2011, aged 73, from pancreatic cancer....
, M.Sp.S., serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. As an auxiliary, he served as Episcopal Vicar
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
for Vicariate V and the Cardinal's liaison to the Hispanic
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
community.
On October 14, 2010, the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
had named Garcia-Siller as the successor to José Horacio Gómez
José Horacio Gomez
José Horacio Gómez is a Mexican-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, currently serving as the Archbishop of Los Angeles. He previously served as Auxiliary Bishop of Denver from 2001–2004 and as Archbishop of San Antonio from 2004–2010.Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Gómez was...
, who had been named to succeed Cardinal Roger Mahony as Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of San Antonio
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio encompasses in Texas.The archdiocese includes the city of San Antonio and the following counties: Val Verde, Edwards, Kerr, Gillespie, Kendall, Comal, Guadalupe, Gonzales, Uvalde, Kinney, Medina, Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, Frio, Atascosa, and McMullen.On...
, Texas. The installation took place on November 23, 2010. Along with Archbishop Gómez, he is one of the highest-ranking Mexican-American bishops in the United States. In June 2011, Chicago Auxiliary Bishop-elect Alberto Rojas
Alberto Rojas
Alberto Rojas is a Mexican-born prelate of the Catholic Church. He currently serves as an Auxiliary Bishop and Episcopal Vicar of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago....
was named as the new liaison for Chicago-area Hispanic Catholic concerns.