We ask you, urgently: don't scroll past this
Dear readers, Catholic Online was de-platformed by Shopify for our pro-life beliefs. They shut down our Catholic Online, Catholic Online School, Prayer Candles, and Catholic Online Learning Resources essential faith tools serving over 1.4 million students and millions of families worldwide. Our founders, now in their 70's, just gave their entire life savings to protect this mission. But fewer than 2% of readers donate. If everyone gave just $5, the cost of a coffee, we could rebuild stronger and keep Catholic education free for all. Stand with us in faith. Thank you.Help Now >
Pope Francis announces appointment of Bishop Oscar Cantu
FREE Catholic Classes
The Vatican announced Wednesday Pope Francis' appointment of Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico to be coadjutor bishop of San Jose, California.

Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
7/11/2018 (6 years ago)
Published in Living Faith
Keywords: New Mexico, bishop made coadjutor, San Jose
Vatican City, (CNA/EWTN News) - As coadjutor, Cantu will assist Bishop Patrick J. McGrath, 73, in the administration of the Diocese of San Jose, and succeed McGrath upon his retirement or death.
Cantu, 51, has served as bishop of Las Cruces, New Mexico since February 2013. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, and French.
In 2016, the bishop was one of two delegates chosen to represent the U.S. bishops' conference during Pope Francis' visit to Mexico. After the pope's visit, the bishop told CNA it showed Mexico "that the Holy Father cares about you, and that God is with us even in difficult moments, even in the darkness of life."
Cantu has served as chairman of the United States bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace and is a member of the subcommittees on the Church in Latin America and Hispanic Affairs.
Born in Houston Dec. 5, 1966, he is the fifth of eight children. His parents, Ramiro and Maria de Jesus Cantu, are from small towns near Monterey, Mexico.
"There's no dichotomy in being a Mexican-American. We love both countries because we have part of ourselves in both countries," Bishop Cantu told CNA in a February 2016 interview
Houston Catholic schools were vital to the bishop's formation and the formation of six of his siblings. Although Bishop Cantu's father only received schooling up to 6th grade, he taught the value of education to his children, four of whom graduated college and three of whom have earned master's degrees.
As a seminarian, Cantu worked on a committee with then-Bishop James Tamayo of Laredo to promote Hispanic ministry.
Ordained to the priesthood May 21, 1994, Cantu was made a bishop in 2008, at the age of 41, when Pope Benedict XVI appointed him auxiliary bishop of San Antonio.
During his 14 years as a priest of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, he was involved in the Christian Family movement leading youth retreats; Engaged Encounter ministry; and the Metropolitan Organization (TMO), which addresses social issues in the community.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Dallas, and a master's in divinity and a master's in theological studies from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He also earned his Doctorate of Sacred Theology in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Before being ordained a bishop, he was pastor of his childhood parish, Holy Name, in Houston. He also served as parochial vicar of St. Christopher Parish and taught at the University of St. Thomas and St. Mary's Seminary.
The Diocese of San Jose was canonically established in 1981 and belongs to the ecclesiastical province of San Francisco.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

What Really Happens to the Brain During Pregnancy? A Catholic Look at One Groundbreaking Study

Pope Leo XIV to Religious Sisters: Let God Be Your Everything

Catholic Online AI Open Letter
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Tuesday, July 01, 2025
St. Junipero Serra: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, July 01, 2025
Prayer of the Chalice: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, July 01, 2025
Daily Readings for Monday, June 30, 2025
First Martyrs of the See of Rome: Saint of the Day for Monday, June 30, 2025
- Good Night My Guardian Angel: Prayer of the Day for Monday, June 30, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.