US Bishop Change: San Antonio

[davidc2]

This morning the Holy See announced the decision of Pope Benedict XVI to name Archbishop-designate Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S. as Archbishop of San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Archbishop-designate Garcia-Siller had been serving as Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, Illinois.

 

[jenkiedad]

Here’s a link to a local (San Antonio) television station story about the announcement:

kens5.com/news/Chicago-priest-to-lead-San-Antonio-archdiocese-104938024.html

After meeting with local priests and other religious this morning (in San Antonio), he held a press conference at 10 AM local time (10/14/2010). He indicated that one of the first things he wanted to do was to get out into the Parishes of the Archdiocese and meet everybody. So far, so good.

Does anybody from Chicago know anything about him?

 

[Dale_M]

I don’t know anything about him, but the auxiliary bishop of San Antonio seems excited by the announcement:
Bishop Oscar Cantú:

I grew to respect and think highly of the young, wise, thoughtful bishop from Chicago. So when the papal nuncio called to inform me that he would be our new archbishop, I literally jumped out of my chair and made my best Spurs-like fist pump in the air, “Yes!” And that was not just because I would be able to unload a lot of work onto his desk — although I am not unhappy about that.

satodayscatholic.wordpress.com/2010/10/14/news-conference-comments-from-auxiliary-bishop-oscar-cantu/

Today’s Catholic is a blog, but appears to be affiliated with the archdiocesan newspaper. The blog currently has articles which describe Bishop Garcia-Siller’s religious order, a condensed biography (and a bit more info here)

And of course, the blog also carries Bishop Garcia-Siller’s press conference remarks

 

[jenkiedad]

Here’s a link to a really good article that appeared in today’s San Antonio Express-News:

mysanantonio.com/news/mexican-born_chicago_bishop_named_sa_archbishop_104945214.html?showFullArticle=y

Interesting that he progressed to become the “major superior” of his religious order, the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, before being consecrated as a bishop.

Looks promising! Still looking for any comments from anybody in Chicago . . .

 

[Dale_M]

Thanks for that news article. He sounds like a bishop for the people.
San Antonio Express-News:

García-Siller spent Thursday revealing his open and warm communication and persona.

During visits citywide, he responded to polite handshakes with hard-to-avoid bear hugs and bright, affable smiles. He pecked elderly women on the cheek. He slapped the backs of young seminarians, huddling with some for impromptu prayers and blessings.

At a news conference at the chancery, a line lasting more than an hour formed for a turn at greeting him. He often clasped both hands of nearly each person for prolonged periods, his eyes attentive to theirs.

Bishop Garcia-Siller, when he was in Chicago, oversaw the Southwest Side and Southwest suburbs, so perhaps Chicagoans from that area might have knowledge of him?