Francisco González Valer S.F. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Church | |
| Archdiocese | Washington |
| Appointed | December 28, 2001 |
| Installed | February 11, 2002 |
| Retired | May 27, 2014 |
| Other post | Titular Bishop ofLamphua (2001–2024) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 1, 1964 by John Joyce Russell |
| Consecration | February 11, 2002 by Theodore Edgar McCarrick,James Aloysius Hickey, andLeonard Olivier |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1939-05-22)May 22, 1939 |
| Died | March 4, 2024(2024-03-04) (aged 84) Barcelona, Spain |
| Motto | Pax et amor (Latin for 'Peace and love') |
| Styles of Francisco González Valer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Francisco González Valer,S.F. (May 22, 1939 – March 4, 2024) was a Spanish-born prelate of theCatholic Church in the United States. González served as anauxiliary bishop of theArchdiocese of Washington, D.C., from 2001 to 2014.
One of five children, Francisco González Valer was born on May 22, 1939, inArcos de Jalón in theprovince of Soria, Spain. He had a brother and sister who are both members of Catholicreligious orders in Spain.[1] González entered the Seminario Misional de la Sagrada Familia inBarcelona in 1951, and took his finalvows in the religious congregation of theSons of the Holy Family (SF) in 1960.[1]
González came to the United States to studytheology at theCatholic University of America, obtaining a Master of Arts degree incomparativeinternational education in 1967.[1]
On May 1, 1964, González wasordained into the priesthood for the SF by BishopJohn J. Russell atSacred Heart Cathedral in Richmond, Virginia.[2]
In 1966, González became a teacher at theAcademy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, Maryland, serving there until 1971. González then held pastoral assignments in theArchdiocese of Santa Fe, also serving asadvocate and pro-synodaljudge at the archdiocesanmarriage tribunal. In 1975, González returned to Spain to teach and performpastoral work for a year. In 1982, after returning to the United States, the SF assigned González aspastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish inGreeley, Colorado, serving there until 1983.[1]
In 1984, González moved back to Maryland, teaching at St. John's School inFrederick, Maryland. In 1986, He was appointed director of Hispanic,Cursillo, andCharismatic movements in the Archdiocese of Washington. He was named the nationalchaplain for Cursillo in 1987, serving there until 1989. González was appointed coordinator of the Hispanic Family Life Office in 1992. In 1993, González started writing a weekly column for theEl Pregonero newspaper, an archdiocesan newspaper.[1]
The SF in 1996 named González as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish inTakoma Park, Maryland. The next year, he was transferred to the position ofepiscopal vicar for Hispanic Catholics. González's congregation elected him three times as a delegate to theirGeneral Chapters. He also served asrector of Holy Family Seminary, the SF seminary inSilver Spring, Maryland, and as vice-provincial superior for the SF in the United States until 2001.[1]
On December 28, 2001,Pope John Paul II, appointed González as anauxiliary bishop of Washington andtitular bishop ofLamphua. He was consecrated on February 11, 2002, by then CardinalTheodore McCarrick, with CardinalJames Hickey and BishopLeonard Olivier serving asco-consecrators, at theBasilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C..[2] González was the first member of his order to be appointed a bishop.[1]
On May 27, 2014, González submitted his letter of resignation as auxiliary bishop of Washington toPope Francis, having reached the mandatory retirement age for bishops of 75.[2] On October 8, 2021, González moved back to Spain to be with his family.[3]
González died inBarcelona, Spain, on March 4, 2024, at age 84.[2][4][5]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by — | Auxiliary Bishop of Washington 2001–2014 | Succeeded by — |
| Preceded by | Titular Bishop of Lamphua 2001–2024 | Succeeded by Vacant |
