ACADEMICS | Most Rev. José H. Gomez, the archbishop of Los Angeles, will be conferred an honorary degree in humane letters on Jan. 30, 2018, in a ceremony in Loyola Marymount University’s Ahmanson Auditorium.
LMU is recognizing Archbishop Gomez’s work as a voice of compassion and reason on moral and spiritual issues in American public life and culture.
“It is only right that LMU should honor Archbishop Gomez with this singular distinction,” said James Erps, S.J., director of Campus Ministry. “Los Angeles is a city that is blessed with people coming from all parts of the world to be part of the multicultural fabric of life here. And our Archdiocese is blessed to have an Archbishop who cares deeply about the immigrant and the stranger in our midst.”
Following the 7 p.m. conferral ceremony, Archbishop Gomez will give a lecture in support of the Academy of Catholic Thought and Imagination’s conversation on “The Idea of the Catholic University in the 21st Century.” He will speak on the particular charisms and obligations of the Catholic university in the contemporary context, with particular attention to Southern California. A reception will follow.
Archbishop Gomez oversees the nation’s largest Catholic community, and serves as vice president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In his ministry, Archbishop Gomez encourages people to follow Jesus Christ with joy and simplicity, seeking to serve God and their neighbors in their daily activities. He has played a leading role in the Catholic Church’s efforts to promote immigration reform and is author of the 2013 book, “Immigration and the Next America: Renewing the Soul of Our Nation.”
He is a native of Monterrey, Mexico, and a naturalized American citizen. Prior to becoming archbishop of Los Angeles, he served as archbishop of San Antonio (2005–2010) and auxiliary bishop of Denver (2001–2005). Archbishop Gomez holds a doctoral degree in theology, as well as undergraduate degrees in accounting, philosophy and theology. He speaks and writes often on issues in the Church and American society. Among his books are: “Men of Brave Heart: The Virtue of Courage in the Priestly Life” (Our Sunday Visitor, 2009) and “A Will to Live: Clear Answers on End of Life Issues” (Basilica, 2008).
Register for the event at lmu.edu/archbishop.
