Ulises Aurelio Casiano Vargas
Encyclopedia
Ulises Aurelio Casiano Vargas (born September 25, 1933) is the bishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mayagüez
, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
.
Casiano was born at the Palmarejo ward in the nearby town of Lajas
, which is also the birthplace of the first native Puerto Rican Roman Catholic cardinal
, Luis Aponte Martínez. He attended the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
in nearby Ponce
, from which he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Education (Social Sciences) in 1955. He then became a schoolteacher and school administrator, with a reputation for efficiency. He then joined the University's Regina Cleri Seminar, and continued Theology studies at Our Lady of Angels seminar in New York. Casiano was eventually ordered as a priest on May 30, 1967. He later obtained a Juris Doctor degree in Canonical Law
from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Monsignor Casiano was named Bishop of the Mayagüez diocese by Pope Paul VI
on March 3, 1976, and was ordered as such by Cardinal Aponte Martínez on April 30, 1976.
A former choirmaster while studying at the Regina Cleri seminar, Casiano has promoted the development of the musical ministries associated with the Mayagüez diocese. For instance, every Good Friday
, at the reading of the Seven Words of Jesus on The Cross at Mayagüez's cathedral, the sermon features a musical piece, in seven parts, written by local music professor José Antonio Gaudier (The Elder) in 1873, and played by the diocese's philharmonic orchestra.
Monsignor Casiano has earned two nicknames among mayagüezanos. His stamina, charisma and tenacity earned him the name The Obispator, a portmaneau of the Spanish word for bishop, obispo, and The Terminator
(the movie character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger
). As he has successfully achieved the construction or remodeling of various diocese landmarks (such as Mayagüez's cathedral) he has also been nicknamed "Ulises Trump
"
Bishop Casiano retired on July 6, 2011. Pope Benedict XVI
named Alvaro Corrada del Rio
as his successor.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Mayagüez
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Mayagüez is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States and consists of the western part of the island of Puerto Rico, an American commonwealth...
, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...
.
Casiano was born at the Palmarejo ward in the nearby town of Lajas
Lajas, Puerto Rico
Lajas is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in southwestern region, south of San Germán and Sabana Grande; east of Cabo Rojo; and west of Guánica. Lajas is spread over 11 wards and Lajas Pueblo...
, which is also the birthplace of the first native Puerto Rican Roman Catholic cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
, Luis Aponte Martínez. He attended the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
The Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico is a Roman Catholic university located in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It provides courses in the areas of education, business administration, arts and human studies and science, leading to Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate Degrees. Its campus is also home...
in nearby Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
, from which he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Education (Social Sciences) in 1955. He then became a schoolteacher and school administrator, with a reputation for efficiency. He then joined the University's Regina Cleri Seminar, and continued Theology studies at Our Lady of Angels seminar in New York. Casiano was eventually ordered as a priest on May 30, 1967. He later obtained a Juris Doctor degree in Canonical Law
Canon law (Catholic Church)
The canon law of the Catholic Church, is a fully developed legal system, with all the necessary elements: courts, lawyers, judges, a fully articulated legal code and principles of legal interpretation. It lacks the necessary binding force present in most modern day legal systems. The academic...
from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Monsignor Casiano was named Bishop of the Mayagüez diocese by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
on March 3, 1976, and was ordered as such by Cardinal Aponte Martínez on April 30, 1976.
A former choirmaster while studying at the Regina Cleri seminar, Casiano has promoted the development of the musical ministries associated with the Mayagüez diocese. For instance, every Good Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
, at the reading of the Seven Words of Jesus on The Cross at Mayagüez's cathedral, the sermon features a musical piece, in seven parts, written by local music professor José Antonio Gaudier (The Elder) in 1873, and played by the diocese's philharmonic orchestra.
Monsignor Casiano has earned two nicknames among mayagüezanos. His stamina, charisma and tenacity earned him the name The Obispator, a portmaneau of the Spanish word for bishop, obispo, and The Terminator
Terminator (character concept)
In the Terminator film series, a terminator is an autonomous robot, typically humanoid, originally conceived as a virtually indestructible soldier and assassin, as well as an infiltrator....
(the movie character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
). As he has successfully achieved the construction or remodeling of various diocese landmarks (such as Mayagüez's cathedral) he has also been nicknamed "Ulises Trump
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump, Sr. is an American business magnate, television personality and author. He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. Trump's extravagant lifestyle, outspoken manner and role on the NBC reality show The Apprentice have...
"
Bishop Casiano retired on July 6, 2011. 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...
named Alvaro Corrada del Rio
Álvaro Corrada del Rio
Álvaro Corrada del Rio, S.J. is an Puerto Rican-American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the second and current Bishop of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico...
as his successor.