Oscar Cantu
Encyclopedia
Oscar Cantú is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He currently serves as the Auxiliary bishop
of the Archdiocese of San Antonio
. Because of the appointment of San Antonio Archbishop Jose Horacio Gomez to be the new Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles, Auxiliary Bishop Cantu was named Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese until the appointment of the new Archbishop, Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller
.
to Mexican
immigrants Ramiro and Maria de Jesus Cantú. He is fifth of eight children. His family originally lived in Chicago, Illinois before moving to the South
, and is old friends with retired Archbishop Patrick Flores
. He attended St. Thomas High School and the University of Dallas
, from where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts
degree. He also earned a Master of Divinity
and of Theological Studies
from the University of St. Thomas before traveling to Rome
to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University
, earning his Licentiate of Sacred Theology
.
. Cantú was ordained a priest
by Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza
on May 21, 1994. He then served as parochial
vicar
of St. Christopher Church in Houston. In 2003, he began teaching at his alma mater
of the University of St. Thomas. Cantú also hosted an interfaith
radio show
with a rabbi
and Protestant
minister, and was involved in The Metropolitan Organization, which addresses such issues as fair housing
, immigration
, and education
. He was later named pastor
of his childhood church of Holy Name in Houston.
of San Antonio
and Titular Bishop
of Dardanus. He was consecrated on June 2 by Archbishop José Gómez
, with Archbishop Fiorenza and Bishop Joe Vásquez
serving as co-consecrator
. Cantú selected as his episcopal motto
: Zelus Domus Tuae Comedit Me , meaning, "Zeal for the Lord's house consumes me."
, Cantú is a member of the Committee on Catholic Education.
As of 2008, Cantú is the youngest Catholic bishop in the United States.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He currently serves as the 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 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...
. Because of the appointment of San Antonio Archbishop Jose Horacio Gomez to be the new Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles, Auxiliary Bishop Cantu was named Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese until the appointment of the new Archbishop, Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller
Gustavo Garcia-Siller
Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S. is a Mexican American prelate of the Catholic Church of the Western Roman Rite...
.
Early life and education
Oscar Cantú was born in Houston, TexasHouston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
to Mexican
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...
immigrants Ramiro and Maria de Jesus Cantú. He is fifth of eight children. His family originally lived in Chicago, Illinois before moving to the South
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
, and is old friends with retired Archbishop Patrick Flores
Patrick Flores
Patrick Fernández Flores , is a Roman Catholic cleric and was Archbishop of San Antonio from 1979 until 2004. Flores was the first Mexican American to become a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church.-Early life:...
. He attended St. Thomas High School and the University of Dallas
University of Dallas
The University of Dallas is a private, independent Catholic regional university located in Irving, Texas, established in 1956, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. According to U.S...
, from where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree. He also earned a Master of 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 of Theological Studies
Master of Theological Studies
A Master of Theological Studies is a general academic degree that gives students an introduction to advanced theological studies. The M.T.S usually requires two years of program study to complete. The Latin equivalent for M.T.S...
from the University of St. Thomas before traveling to 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...
to study 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...
, earning his Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology is the title of the second cycle of studies of a Faculty of Theology offered by a pontifical universities or ecclesiastical faculties of sacred theology. An Ecclesiastical Faculty offers three cycles of study: Baccalaureate or fundamentals, Licentiate or specialized,...
.
Priesthood
Upon his return to the States, Cantú was ordained a deacon on November 6, 1993 by Bishop James TamayoJames Anthony Tamayo
James Anthony Tamayo is the current bishop of Laredo, Texas. He was ordained a priest on July 11, 1976 and ordained a bishop on March 10, 1993, becoming auxiliary bishop of Galveston-Houston and titular bishop of Ita...
. Cantú was ordained a priest
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....
by Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza
Joseph Fiorenza
Joseph Anthony Fiorenza is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He was the seventh Bishop and the first Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, serving from 1985 to 2006...
on May 21, 1994. He then served as parochial
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...
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...
of St. Christopher Church in Houston. In 2003, he began teaching at his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
of the University of St. Thomas. Cantú also hosted an interfaith
Interfaith
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
radio show
Radio programming
Radio programming is the Broadcast programming of a Radio format or content that is organized for Commercial broadcasting and Public broadcasting radio stations....
with a rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
and Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
minister, and was involved in The Metropolitan Organization, which addresses such issues as fair housing
Fair housing
In the United States, the fair housing policies date largely from the 1960s. Originally, the terms fair housing and open housing came from a political movement of the time to outlaw discrimination in the rental or purchase of homes and a broad range of other housing-related transactions, such as...
, immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
, and education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. He was later named 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...
of his childhood church of Holy Name in Houston.
Episcopal appointment
On April 10, 2008, Cantú was appointed Auxiliary BishopAuxiliary 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 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...
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 Dardanus. He was consecrated on June 2 by Archbishop José 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...
, with Archbishop Fiorenza and Bishop Joe Vásquez
Joe S. Vasquez
José Stephen Vásquez is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was appointed Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin on January 26, 2010. He was previously the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston....
serving as co-consecrator
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...
. Cantú selected as his episcopal motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
: Zelus Domus Tuae Comedit Me , meaning, "Zeal for the Lord's house consumes me."
Appointments
Within the United States Conference of Catholic BishopsUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in the United States. Founded in 1966 as the joint National Conference of Catholic Bishops and United States Catholic Conference, it is composed of all active and retired members of the Catholic...
, Cantú is a member of the Committee on Catholic Education.
As of 2008, Cantú is the youngest Catholic bishop in the United States.