Biography

Most Reverend José H. Gomez is the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the nation’s largest Catholic community. In his ministry, Archbishop Gomez encourages people to follow Jesus Christ with joy and simplicity of life, seeking to serve God and their neighbors in their ordinary daily activities.

For nearly two decades, Archbishop Gomez has been a voice of compassion and reason on moral and spiritual issues in American public life and culture. He has played a leading role in the Catholic Church’s efforts to promote immigration reform and is author of the 2013 book, Immigration and the Next America: Renewing the Soul of Our Nation.

Archbishop Gomez has recently completed serving a three-year term as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, a post he assumed in November 2019. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI personally selected him to participate in a month-long “synod” or meeting of the world’s bishops on the “New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith.” In 2015, Archbishop Gomez was selected to represent the United States Catholic Bishops at the World Meeting of Families and the Synod of Bishops on “The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and in the Contemporary World.” In 2018, his brother bishops also selected him to represent them at the 2018 Synod of Bishops on “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.” 

Archbishop Gomez urges every Catholic, in all walks of life, to assume responsibility for the mission of the Catholic Church. He has worked to promote marriage and the family and vocations to the priesthood. He has been instrumental in promoting the leadership of Hispanics and women in the Church and in American society, as a founding member of the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders and ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women).

Archbishop Gomez is a native of Monterrey, Mexico, and a naturalized American citizen. Prior to becoming Archbishop of Los Angeles, he served as Archbishop of San Antonio (2005–2010) and Auxiliary Bishop of Denver (2001–2005).

He holds a doctorate degree in theology (S.T.D.), as well as undergraduate degrees in accounting, philosophy and theology. He speaks and writes often on issues in the Church and American society. Among his books are: Men of Brave Heart: The Virtue of Courage in the Priestly Life (Our Sunday Visitor, 2009) and A Will to Live: Clear Answers on End of Life Issues (Basilica, 2008).

He has contributed introductions and essays to numerous books, including: Glorifying Christ: The Life of Cardinal Francis E. George, O.M.I by Michael R. Heinlein (Our Sunday Visitor, 2023); Catholic Leadership for Civil Society: A Practical Guide on Authentic Lay Leadership by Cristofer Pereyra and Erin Monnin (2022); Unleashing Hope: The Biography of Venerable María Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament by Sister Timothy Marie Kennedy, O.C. D. (Sophia, 2022); Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood, by Michael R. Heinlein (Our Sunday Visitor, 2021); Shepherds and Fishermen: Spiritual Exercises for Bishops, Priests, and Religious, by Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap. (Liturgical Press, 2020); Shepherding the Family of God: The Spirituality of Diocesan Priests in St. John of Avila, by Father Gustavo Castillo (Institute of Priestly Formation, 2019); Saints and Sinners in the Cristero War: Stories of Martyrdom in Mexico, by Father James Murphy (Ignatius, 2019); In the Face of Darkness: The Heroic Life and Holy Death of Mother Luisita, by Sister Timothy Marie Kennedy, O.C.D. (Sophia, 2019); Beautiful Hope: Finding Hope Every Day in a Broken World, ed. Matthew Kelly (Beacon, 2018); God With Us: The Story of Jesus as Told by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, by Fundación Ramón Pané (Loyola, 2017); Catholics in the Public Square, 4th ed., by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted (St. Benedict, 2016); The Love That Made Mother Teresa, by David Scott (Sophia, 2016); Fire from Above: Christian Contemplation and Mystical Wisdom, by Anthony Lilles (Sophia, 2016); Dorothy Day and the Church: Past, Present and Future, ed. Lance Richey and Adam DeVille (Solidarity Hall, 2015); What Did Jesus Ask: Christian Leaders Reflect on His Questions of Faith, ed. Elizabeth Dias (Time, 2015); Tweeting With God, by Michel Remery (Ignatius, 2015); The Heart of the Diaconate, by Deacon James Keating (Paulist, 2015); The Feasts: How the Church Year Forms Us as Catholics, by Cardinal Donald Wuerl and Mike Aquilina (Image, 2014); For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada, The Cristero War and Mexico’s Struggle for Religious Freedom, by Ruben Quezada (Ignatius, 2012); Hispanic Ministry in the 21st Century: Present and Future, ed. Hosffman Ospino (Convivium, 2010).

His writings have been published in the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, The Wall Street Journal, CNN.com, Huffington Post, Vital Speeches of the Day, Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy, La Opinion, First Things, The New York Post, National Catholic Register, and elsewhere.

Timeline

December 26, 1951
Born in Monterrey, Mexico, the son of Dr. José H. Gomez and Esperanza Velasco, both deceased. He has three older sisters and one younger sister.

August 15, 1978
Ordained a priest of the Opus Dei Prelature by the late Cardinal Franz König, Archbishop Emeritus of Vienna, at the Shrine of Torreciudad, Spain.

1975—1978
Awarded undergraduate degrees in accounting, philosophy and theology.

1980
Awarded doctorate in theology (S.T.D.), University of Navarre, Spain.

1987–2000
Exercised priestly ministry at Our Lady of Grace Parish, Archdiocese of San Antonio, and also at St. Bartholomew Parish in what was then the Diocese of Galveston-Houston.

March 26, 2001
Ordained Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Denver, having been appointed bishop by Pope St. John Paul II. As Auxiliary Bishop, served as Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and then as Moderator of the Curia and pastor of Mother of God parish.

February 15, 2005
Installed Archbishop of San Antonio, appointed by Pope St. John Paul II.

April 6, 2010
Appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles by Pope Benedict XVI.

March 1, 2011 – Present
Succeeded as Archbishop of Los Angeles.

2019-2022
Served as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops