Bishop Oscar Cantú

Bishop Oscar Cantú has served the Catholic Church with great dedication and leadership throughout his priestly and episcopal ministry. Born on December 5, 1966, in Houston, Texas, to Ramiro and Maria de Jesus Cantú, Bishop Cantú is the fifth of eight children in a deeply faithful family. His parents, originally from small towns near Monterrey, Mexico, instilled in him a strong commitment to his faith and community.

Educated in Catholic schools, Bishop Cantú received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Dallas and went on to earn both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theological Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He completed his theological education in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University, earning a Licentiate (S.T.L.) and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) with a focus on Dogmatic Theology.

Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in 1994, Bishop Cantú ministered in several parishes across the Houston area, including Holy Name Parish, where he had been baptized. In addition to his parish work, Bishop Cantú was active in the Christian Family Movement, leading retreats for youth, and worked with the Engaged Encounter ministry. His commitment to addressing social justice issues was also evident through his involvement with The Metropolitan Organization (TMO), which focuses on community organizing and addressing social challenges. He also taught theology at the University of St. Thomas and St. Mary’s Seminary, sharing his passion for theological education and pastoral ministry.

In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio, and he was ordained a bishop on June 2 of that year. In 2013, he became the Bishop of Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he served until 2018 when Pope Francis appointed him Coadjutor Bishop of San José. On May 1, 2019, Bishop Cantú became the third Bishop of San José, guiding the diocese with a pastoral heart and a commitment to spiritual renewal and growth.

Bishop Cantú holds key leadership roles within the U.S. Church. He currently serves as the Chairman for the USCCB Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs and as the President of the California Catholic Conference of Bishops. His leadership extends beyond the U.S. borders, as he recently represented the USCCB at the CELAM (Consejo Episcopal Latinoamericano y Caribeño), working alongside bishops from Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen the Church’s mission and outreach in the region.

Throughout his ministry, Bishop Cantú has advocated for justice, peace, and human rights. As the former Chair of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, he traveled to regions of conflict such as South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Cuba, and the Holy Land, promoting peace and solidarity with local churches. He has also spoken at the United Nations and other international forums on issues such as nuclear non-proliferation, religious freedom, and human dignity.

With a continued commitment to serving the diverse communities of the Diocese of San José, Bishop Cantú focuses on promoting human dignity, addressing social justice issues, and supporting the pastoral and spiritual needs of all people, especially those on the margins of society.

Bishop Emeritus Patrick J. McGrath

Upon the retirement of Bishop Pierre DuMaine on November 27, 1999, he was succeeded by Bishop Patrick Joseph “PJ” McGrath. Bishop McGrath was born June 11, 1945, in Dublin, Ireland, where he attended Catholic schools of the Sisters of the Holy Faith and Marist Fathers. He entered St. John Seminary, Waterford, Ireland, in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in Waterford on June 7, 1970, for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. In 1977, he earned his doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. In 1979, Bishop McGrath became Officialis of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and was appointed Rector and Pastor of Saint Mary Cathedral in 1986. Ordained Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco on January 25, 1989, he served the Archdiocese as Vicar for Clergy, Moderator of the Curia, and Vicar for Parishes. On June 30, 1998, Pope John Paul II named him Coadjutor to the Bishop of the Diocese of San Jose. Bishop Patrick Joseph McGrath became the second bishop of San Jose on September 17, 1998.

During his 20-year tenure as bishop, his Excellency oversaw several landmark local ecclesial events. He elevated the Catholic Chinese and Korean communities to parish missions. He established the diocesan permanent deaconate. Several parishes received new designations and dedications, and one new parish was founded in central San Jose. Schools, including the Jesuit Nativity schools in downtown San Jose and Holy Spirit School, were opened. He participated in several ecumenical and interreligious summits.

Bishop McGrath is most remembered for his dedication to inclusivity and advocacy for lay formation. This led to the creation of the Institute for Leadership in Ministry (ILM) for laity working in parishes, schools, and the greater community. His yearly pastoral visits to Catholic schools, his dedication to youth, and his support for vocations are also very well known. He formed the diocese’s first teen council and supported the establishment of the Quo Vadis retreat for teen vocation discernment. Further support for vocations came with the inauguration of the annual Revs vs. Sems basketball game and the Vocations Soccer Cup.

His episcopacy occurred during significant world and Church events such as the September 11th tragedy, the passing of Pope John Paul II, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and the ascension of Pope Francis. He also celebrated his own 25th episcopal ordination anniversary in 2014. Bishop Oscar Cantú succeeded Bishop McGrath in 2018. Bishop Patrick Joseph McGrath passed away on May 7, 2023.

Founding Bishop Pierre DuMaine

Bishop Pierre DuMaine served as bishop for the first 18 years of the Diocese of San Jose. He was born in Paducah, Kentucky on August 2, 1931. Educated in Catholic schools in Paducah and California, he attended St. Joseph College, Mountain View, and St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park. Bishop DuMaine was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco on June 15, 1957. He earned his doctorate in education at the Catholic University of America in 1961 where he served as Assistant Professor until 1963. From 1963 through 1965 Bishop DuMaine taught at Serra High School. He then served as Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of San Francisco from 1965-78. Bishop DuMaine was named Prelate of Honor on July 18, 1972. He was ordained bishop in San Francisco on June 29, 1978. He was founding Director of Catholic Television Network in Menlo Park from 1978-1981. On January 27, 1981, Bishop DuMaine was named by Pope John Paul to be the first bishop of the new Diocese of San Jose where he was installed officially on March 18, 1981. His request to retire was accepted by the Holy Father on November 27, 1999. Since retirement Bishop DuMaine has remained active in national Bishops’ Committees for Science and Human Values and for Women in Society and the Church. He has participated in dialogues and conferences on Science and Religion, and has taught in Religious Studies Departments of Stanford and Santa Clara Universities. Santa Clara has appointed him Presidential Professor of Catholic Theology. Bishop DuMaine passed away on June 13, 2019.