Pope Benedict XVI has appointed a Houston-born bishop as the next bishop of the Diocese of Las Cruces.
Bishop Oscar Cantu, auxiliary bishop of San Antonio, was introduced Thursday at a press conference in Las Cruces and will replace Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, who is retiring.
The son of Mexican immigrants, Cantu is a product of Houston's Catholic Schools, attending Holy Name Catholic School and St. Thomas High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dallas and a Masters in Divinity and Masters in Theological Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
In the national bishops' conference he currently serves on the committees on Catholic Education, International Justice and Peace, and Protection of Children and Young People, and on the Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.