October 2018

 

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 25, 2018—  The new coadjutor bishop for the Catholic diocese at the epicenter of global technology— Coadjutor Bishop Oscar Cantú of San Jose—will deliver the 2018 Santa Clara Lecture at Santa Clara University Nov. 1.  His lecture will discuss the art of mastering technology and establishing a right relationship between the human person (body, mind, and soul) and technology.

 

The event will be held Nov. 1 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the St. Clare Room of  Santa Clara University’s Learning Commons, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA, 95053. Media are invited to cover his talk. 

 

Bishop Cantú was welcomed as coadjutor bishop of the diocese of San Jose on September 28, 2018 and comes to the position with a rich history of parish and parochial work, as well as extensive experience in international and immigration issues. He formerly chaired the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, and he currently is a member of the USCCB Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America and Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs. 

 

“As the Jesuit university of Silicon Valley, it’s entirely appropriate that we should host Bishop Cantú on his first visit to Santa Clara and his first comments on technology and humanity,” said Dorian Llywelyn, S.J., executive director of the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education, which is sponsoring the Santa Clara Lecture as the first in a broader initiative on Tech and the Human Spirit. 

 

“One of the major topics under discussion at the recent Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, was young people’s relationship with technology— a relationship with both lights and shadows,” said Llywelyn. “The Bishops know that the internet can be a really important platform for spreading its message, and they are asking for young people – who have the expertise in technology – to help them understand social media, AI, robotics and biotechnology  better so that together we can discern what leads to human flourishing.” 

 

This lecture is part of the Ignatian Center’s Bannan Forum series of inclusive, inquiring, inspired programs that involve contributions from expert speakers, roundtable discussions, networking receptions, and focus groups to explore the topic of Tech and the Human Spirit. Technology has changed us, and it will continue to shape our lives, our organizations, our communities, and our future. This 18-month series of events will explore how we can steward technology’s advance to benefit humanity to the fullest, support human endeavor, and contribute to human flourishing in all its dimensions? 

 

 

Bishop Cantú was born in Houston on December 5, 1966. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dallas, and received his Masters in Divinity and Masters in Theological Studies from the University of St. Thomas, also in Houston. He also attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) as well as his Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.). Bishop Cantú was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Houston in 1994.

 

He spent his priestly career working in parishes throughout the Houston metropolitan area. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Christopher Parish. He also taught at the University of St. Thomas and at St. Mary’s Seminary. He served as pastor at Holy Name Parish. He was involved in the Christian Family movement; conducted retreats and worked with the Engaged Encounter ministry. Bishop Cantú was also involved in The Metropolitan Organization (TMO) that addresses social issues in the community.

 

Bishop Cantú was appointed and then ordained Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio and Titular Bishop of Dardano in 2008. In 2013, Bishop Cantú was appointed as bishop of the Diocese of Las Cruces, NM. He was installed as bishop on February 28, 2013.

 

Bishop Oscar Cantú is the former chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace. He is currently a member of the USCCB Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America and Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs.

 

Most Rev. Cantú was one of two delegates chosen by the Bishops’ Conference to represent the USCCB at Pope Francis’ visit to Mexico in 2016.

 

Santa Clara University, a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located 40 miles south of San Francisco in Californiaís Silicon Valley, offers its more than 9,000 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering; masterís degrees in business, education, counseling psychology, pastoral ministry, and theology; and law degrees and engineering doctoral degrees. Distinguished nationally by one of the highest graduation rates among all U.S. masterís universities, Californiaís oldest operating higher-education institution demonstrates faith-inspired values of ethics and social justice. For more information, see www.scu.edu.

 

Media Contact

Deborah Lohse | SCU Media Communications | dlohse@scu.edu | 408-554-5121

 

Aaron Willis |  Director, Ignatian Center’s Bannan Forum | 408-554-4383 | awillis@scu.edu