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WELCOME BISHOP CANTÚ
September 25, 2018 | The Valley Catholic
Q&A with Bishop Cantú continued
Continued from page 11
LIZ: During the course of your priestly
ministry, you have taught at the Univer-
sity of Saint Thomas and Saint Mary’s
Seminary, both in Houston, in addition to
serving as a parish priest. You also hold
several advanced degrees. Can you com-
ment on the importance of education for
you and the Church?
BISHOP CANTÚ: My interest in
topics have shifted since I was a child,
but I’ve always had a knack for math. It
kind of came naturally to me, but in the
humanities not so much. Then in high
school, I had a really good, interesting
English teacher, who helped turn me
on to literature. In college, I ended up
being an English major. I love poetry
and literature which have shown me
the importance of telling the story and
knowing how to tell the story. Jesus
understood that. He didn’t publish the
Catechism. He didn’t teach his disciples
systematic theology. He told them
stories. That’s how he talked. There’s
something catechetical and instructive
about how to tell a story.
My interest in theology grew as well
and I was fascinated by philosophy as
an undergraduate. After the seminary
I was sent to do postgrad work, too.
The idea was to return to teach at the
seminary (in Houston). I enjoyed that.
I had an interest in it at that time, along
with sacramental theology and that’s
what I studied. I continue to be quite
interested in theology.
When I finished my studies and
came back from Rome I asked the
Bishop at that time, since I had not been
a pastor, if I could have that experience
before I went full-time to the seminary.
I was surprised that he agreed. So he
made me a pastor and I was able to
teach part time and really enjoyed it
and have always enjoyed teaching. I
was able to teach at the undergrad and
graduate levels, which I found really
enjoyable. I missed it for several years,
and to some degree, I still do.
Nonetheless, I continue to teach it
in a diff erent way. I think it’s good and
healthy to have that continuing interest
and to try to keep up to some degree
with that.
When I was the Auxiliary Bishop
in San Antonio, I oversaw Catholic
education, and worked closely with the
schools and universities as it is a part of
my life that has shaped who I am.
Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Las Cruces.
superintendent. I was also the liaison
to the Catholic universities in the Arch-
diocese, three Catholic universities, one
Catholic College, and one seminary. It
was enjoyable to have so much of a hold
your feet to the fi re of Catholic identity.
It also opened a door of a conversation
of communion. That’s when we call
ourselves Catholic. It’s important that
we be in communion not only with
the laity, but also with the head of the
Church and the shepherd. I think that
was an important period for me when
practicing the practical elements of the
dialogue. There are diff erent stages of
dialogue, it’s important to recognize
the dignity of an individual, the dignity
of an institution, but to also be chal-
lenging and challenging them to grow.
I look forward to working with our
LIZ: I heard you say it today (at the
Convocation Mass for school) when you
quoted Michelangelo, who said “Today I
still learn.” You mentioned he was in his
70s or 80s. In addition, you touched on your
involvement with the committee on interna-
tional justice and peace where you served
as chair. In reading about your background
it says you’ve spoken at the United Nations
and in London in defense of the Church’s
teaching on the opposition of the periphery
should have nuclear weapons. Why are
these topics important and why should the
Church be concerned about them?
BISHOP CANTÚ: The Vatican just
months previous to those presentations
had really stirred up a lot of energy
with regard to non-proliferation (the
prevention of an increase or spread of
something, especially the number of
countries possessing nuclear weapons)
and essentially, it was kind of a subtle
turn of phrase by the Vatican and a
critically important one.
Continued on page 13
Congratulations & Welcome
Bishop Oscar Cantú
from