John Jairo Gomez
American prelate of the Catholic Church (born 1975)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Jairo Gomez (born December 15, 1975) is a Colombian-American Catholic priest who was appointed Bishop of Laredo in 2026.[1]
John Jairo Gomez | |
|---|---|
| Bishop-elect of Laredo | |
| Church | |
| Diocese | Tyler |
| Appointed | May 1, 2026 |
| Predecessor | James Anthony Tamayo |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 23, 2009 by Álvaro Corrada del Río |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 15, 1975 |
Early life and education
Gomez was born in Santa Rosa de Cabal on December 15, 1975, the son of the late José Jairo Gomez and Martha Lucía Cardona.[2] Raised in Cali, Gomez fulfilled his mandatory military service in the National Army of Colombia after completing his secondary education. Emigrating to the United States in 2002 (and becoming a citizen in 2021), Gomez entered formation for the Diocese of Tyler. Gomez earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Saint John Vianney Seminary Miami in 2004 and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, a Master of Divinity, and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from University of St. Thomas in 2009. He later completed a J.C.L. in canonical studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2012.[1]
Priesthood
Gomez was ordained a priest on May 23, 2009, going on to serve various roles in the Diocese of Tyler. After completing his studies in Rome, Gomez served as parochial administrator and later pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Pittsburg, Texas (2012–2017), as pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kilgore, Texas (2017–2018) and as pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Frankston, Texas (2018–2020).
In addition to his various pastoral roles, Gomez served as the Diocese of Tyler's judge of the diocesan tribunal and adjunct judicial vicar, becoming judicial vicar in 2013 and serving as promoter of justice from 2018–2023. Gomez served as vicar general and moderator of the curia for Tyler from 2015–2023 and again from 2025 until his appointment.[2]
Episcopal career
Bishop of Laredo
On May 1, 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed Gomez the second Bishop of Laredo. His episcopal consecration is scheduled for June 30, 2026.[3][2][4]
