Bishop‑elect Gomez was born on December 15, 1975, in Santa Rosa del Cabal, in the Department of Risaralda, Colombia, to José Jairo Gomez (deceased) and Martha Lucía Cardona. He is the second of three brothers, with one older brother, Roberto de Jesús, and one younger brother, Carlos Alberto. He was raised in Cali and after completing his secondary education Bishop‑elect Gomez fulfilled his mandatory national service in the Colombian Army. Following his military service, he worked while pursuing philosophical studies in Colombia. In 2002, he emigrated to the United States and entered formation as a seminarian for the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, Florida, in 2004. He then completed his theological studies at the University of St. Thomas and St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas, receiving a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, a Master of Divinity, and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 2009. Bishop‑elect Gomez was ordained to the diaconate on May 24, 2008, and to priesthood for the Diocese of Tyler on May 23, 2009, by Bishop Álvaro Corrada del Río. He was assigned to canonical studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.) in 2012. Following his return from Rome, Bishop‑elect Gomez served as Parochial Administrator and later Pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Pittsburg, Texas, from 2012 to 2017. He subsequently served as Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kilgore, Texas (2017–2018), and Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Frankston, Texas (2018–2020). In addition to his pastoral assignments, Bishop‑elect Gomez has held numerous diocesan leadership roles. He served as Judge of the Diocesan Tribunal, Adjunct Judicial Vicar, and was appointed Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Tyler in 2013. He served as Promoter of Justice from 2018 to 2023. In 2015, Bishop‑elect Gomez was appointed Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Tyler, a role he held until 2023, when he was named Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator. Since February 24, 2025, he has again served as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. Bishop‑elect Gomez is a member of the College of Consultors, Presbyteral Council, Diocesan Review Board, Diocesan Finance Council, Catholic Charities – Diocese of Tyler Board, and the East Texas Catholic Foundation Board. He also serves as Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies for the Diocese of Tyler and is a member of the Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors of Hispanic Ministry. He is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and a Knight of Columbus. Bishop‑elect Gomez is fluent in Spanish, English, and Italian. He became a citizen of the United States in 2021. Bishop-elect Gomez’s episcopal ordination and installation as the Bishop of Laredo will be on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
If you are:
Interested men are encouraged to contact the Office of Vocations or his Pastor to learn more about the particular details of the discernment process for the Diocese of Laredo. The Vocation Director will be able to assist you in reviewing the particular Diocesan requirements for seminary preparation and application. The Diocese of Laredo, like most dioceses, has particular guidelines and policies in place to govern and regulate the application process. However, each individual’s personal and professional background varies and is considered on a one-to-one basis.
These are the qualities we are looking for in a Diocesan Priesthood candidate:
Some men and women are called to be dedicated totally to God by embracing the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Some live in the world and are set apart by a special consecration in secular institutes, as consecrated virgins or as hermits.
Some men and women are called to be dedicated totally to God by embracing the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Some live in the world and are set apart by a special consecration in secular institutes, as consecrated virgins or as hermits.
Read MoreA deacon is an ordained minister who takes the spirit and message of Jesus to the marketplace. He has been called to serve and generously gives his time, energy, and talents to others, especially the poor. The deacon’s ministry is varied — he may reach.
A deacon is an ordained minister who takes the spirit and message of Jesus to the marketplace. He has been called to serve and generously gives his time, energy, and talents to others, especially the poor. The deacon’s ministry is varied — he may reach
Read MoreThe laity serves the Church in many different ways. Some lay ministers are trained, work full-time, and are paid; others are part-time volunteers. Lay ministers can be single or married. Some lay people exercise the Baptismal call to service.
The laity serves the Church in many different ways. Some lay ministers are trained, work full-time, and are paid; others are part-time volunteers. Lay ministers can be single or married. Some lay people exercise the Baptismal call to service.
Read MoreSome men and women are called to give themselves to one another through the Sacrament of Matrimony. They are called to bring their spouse closer to Christ through growth in holiness, by making a total and faithful gift of themselves to each other and sharing.
Some men and women are called to give themselves to one another through the Sacrament of Matrimony. They are called to bring their spouse closer to Christ through growth in holiness, by making a total and faithful gift of themselves to each other and sharing.
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Fr. Jose Luis to visit all schools and college campuses
