SAN JOSE, May 1, 2019 – On May 1, 2019 the Holy Father accepted the request to retire of Bishop Patrick J. McGrath after 20 years as Bishop of the Diocese of San Jose.
The announcement was made public by the Holy See in Rome.
Every Bishop of the Catholic Church must submit a request for retirement to the Vatican as they approach their 75th birthday. Bishop McGrath will turn 74 in June.
On July 11, 2018, the Most Reverend Oscar Cantú, Bishop of Las Cruces, New Mexico since 2013, was appointed by the Vatican as Coadjutor Bishop of San Jose. Bishop Cantú, 52, has spent the last 10 months becoming familiar with the Diocese of San Jose.
Ordained a priest in 1970 for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Bishop McGrath became the second bishop of San Jose on November 27, 1999 upon the retirement of founding Bishop Pierre DuMaine. Just as Bishop Cantú did, Bishop McGrath spent about 10 months serving as Coadjutor Bishop in San Jose.
“The years have flown by,” said Bishop McGrath. “I thank everyone for their encouragement and their support, for instilling in me the joy of serving the Lord and His people, and for imparting to me the spirit of gratitude that should always distinguish our lives.”
