Pope Francis has named the auxiliary bishop of Austin, the Most Reverend Daniel E. Garcia, as the new Bishop of Monterey.
The appointment was publicized in Washington on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
Bishop Garcia was born August 30, 1960 in Cameron, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s Seminary at the University of St. Thomas in 1984. He completed his Master of Divinity studies at Saint Mary’s in 1988. In 2007, he earned a Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies from the Saint John’s School of Theology.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Austin on May 28, 1988. Since then, he has served at the parishes of St. Catherine of Siena, Cristo Rey, St. Louis, and St. Vincent de Paul, all in Austin. He also served three years in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Humble, Texas. In the Diocese of Austin, he has served as a dean and as a member of the Priests’ Personnel Board, the College of Consultors, and the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, as well as a member and chairman of the Presbyteral Council.
On January 21, 2015, Pope Francis appointed him as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Austin, the first auxiliary bishop in the history of the diocese, as well as Titular Bishop of Capsus. He was ordained a bishop on March 3, 2015.
Bishop Garcia currently serves as Chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on Worship in Spanish. He is a member of the USCCB Committee on Divine Worship and the USCCB Committee on Communications, as well as a consultant to the USCCB Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs.
Bishop Daniel Garcia has been named bishop following the death of Bishop Richard Garcia of Monterey on July 11, 2018, due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was diagnosed with the disease in April 2018.
Full story at USCCB.
If the new Bishop is in vestments for Mass and it looks like it from this picture, he needs a refresher class in how to vest for Mass as his clerical collar is not supposed to show. Just ,sayin’
Let’s hope that’s the least of his issues. The Diocese of Monterey has had its share of homo heretical issues. Strong, courageous leadership, outside of secular post conciliar modernism, would be a Grace for the Diocese of Monterey that we can pray for.
His liturgy training was in Collegeville. Don’t expect much excellence in liturgical matters.
But the weather is much nicer and the landscape more beautiful in Monterey than in Austin. So the bishop will be happy that he got a relatively posh assignment.
Actually Austin and environs is unlike just about any other part of Texas. It has very nice weather.
When I saw “St. John’s Seminary” my heart sank. Then I realized it was Collegeville — which I would take over Camarillo anytime and twice on Sundays.
Really? You took the time to point out his clerical collar is showing? LOL!! That’s ridiculous! AmiceGate indeed!
These posts “welcoming” Bishop Garcia are just plain uncharitable and contrary to the Gospel. Give the Bishop a chance!
Anyone from the Austin area or in the know – Does anyone know if he has any background in regard to his leanings, one way or another, toward Tradition? Has he shown a tendency so far toward being more a conservative or liberal Bishop?
Didn’t Bishop Richard Garcia force the TLM out of Mission San Juan Baptista?
No
I would really like to get some hard information about this guy. Like it or not, the Diocese of Monterey improved substantially under Richard Garcia. It would so sad for it to slide back to the level it performed when Sylvester Ryan was in charge.
I hope someone in the know actually posts — rather than reading ridiculous comments about clerical collars and Collegeville, MN.
He speaks Spanish fluently. That’s something.
I wonder how many people making editorial comments about the new Bishop have seven years of studying philosophy, theology, etc. How many have masters degrees in ministry. I wonder how many are actually qualified to make judgements about his qualifications. There is a big difference between what the Church teaches and what some people would like it to teach. By the way, amicegate should go away quickly. They haven’t worn those for decades, except at the TLM.
Why don’t we try to play nice for a change?
One’s education should not be a prerequisite to ask questions about an incoming bishop. Particuarly given the septic condition of the Church today.
BTW, in the Latin Rite, street clothes/garb should not be visible — including clerical collars. Care in choosing one’s albs and/or wearing an amice will help clergy to follow this very real rule.