The Most Rev. Robert McElroy, Roman Catholic bishop of San Diego, announced the death today of retired Auxiliary Bishop Gilberto Chávez, at age 87, a revered spiritual leader of Catholics across the region, particularly Latinos. He died Sunday, March 15, at a local retirement home after months of hospice care due to failing health.
Bishop Chávez served the San Diego diocese for 60 years, 46 of them as auxiliary bishop. During this era, the San Diego region’s population grew rapidly, particularly among Hispanics. Bishop Chávez championed initiatives both at the diocese and in the broader U.S. Catholic Church to serve Latinos, particularly with Spanish-language ministry…
He was born Gilberto Espinoza Chávez on May 9, 1932, in Ontario, Calif., one of six children in a devoutly Catholic family that had emigrated from Mexico. After high school, he entered the seminary in San Diego and was ordained in 1960 by Bishop Charles Buddy. He served in assignments across Southern California, including a four-year stint as chaplain at a state drug and rehabilitation center in Norco. While working in the prison system, he decided to pursue a college degree from UC Riverside to better prepare him for challenges to come. Pope Paul VI named him auxiliary bishop in 1974, only the second Hispanic bishop at the time in the nation….
He had requested a public fiesta be held in San Ysidro to celebrate his life. That celebration will be held after the COVID-19 crisis has ended.
The above comes from a March 16 release from the San Diego diocese.
One has to wonder why Bhp. Chavez never got his own Diocese.
Mike, some priests don’t want to be pastors. Some bishops may not want to be ordinaries. Some church politics is always involved. He served well as auxiliary.
Bishop Chavez was a soft spoken prayerful priest with qualities worth emulating. When he did confirmations, he immediately identified about 6 candidates, asked their names, and while addressing questions to all of the candidates, would come back by name to these 6 with whom he made a spiritual connection. In his convalescence, he welcomed visits by me and other priests. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Cum Sanctis Tuis in aeternum quia pius est. Save me a place up there, Gilbert, and pray for me that I indeed join you with the Trinity after this life.