Pope Leo XIV has appointed Mons. Mario Alberto Avilés, C.O. as the new bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, in southern Texas. The prelate, born in Mexico and trained in the Oratorian tradition, assumes pastoral responsibility for a diocese that brings together more than 200,000 Catholics in a vast and culturally diverse region. His appointment replaces Mons. Michael Mulvey, who has led the diocese for the last fourteen years.
Origin and Formation: From Mexico City to Rome and Texas
Mario Avilés was born on September 16, 1969, in Mexico City. In 1986, he entered the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, where he began his vocational journey. Two years later, he was assigned to the Oratory of Pharr, in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, integrating into the pastoral life of the border region.
He completed his ecclesiastical formation in Rome, where he obtained degrees in Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. He later pursued a master's degree in educational administration and obtained certification as a teacher in the state of Texas. He was ordained a priest on July 21, 1998, at the National Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, in San Juan, Texas.
Priestly Career and Service to the Congregation of the Oratory
After his ordination, he served as parochial vicar in St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, in Pharr, and joined the educational structure of the Oratory schools, where he held roles as teacher, director, and rector. Within his congregation, he also assumed internal governance responsibilities, serving as secretary, treasurer, vicar, and novice master.
From 2000 to 2012, he was part of the Permanent Deputation of the Confederation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri for Latin America. In 2012, he was elected Procurator General of the Confederation, a position based in Rome that made him the representative of the Oratories before the Holy See and a point of reference for Oratorian communities worldwide.
Parallelly, he served for several years as pastor of Sacred Heart, in Hidalgo (Texas), where he developed sustained pastoral work in a community marked by a significant migrant presence and a demanding social environment.
Auxiliary Bishop of Brownsville: Pastoral and Administrative Experience
In December 2017, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Brownsville and received episcopal ordination on February 22, 2018. Since then, he has closely collaborated with the diocesan bishop, Mons. Daniel Flores, in the pastoral governance of a diocese with nearly one million Catholics.
His work included interim supervision of the diocese's Catholic schools, as well as various administrative and pastoral tasks. Over these years, he has been described as an effective collaborator, with the ability to coordinate diocesan projects and address pastoral needs in communities with diverse profiles.
Spiritual Identity and Episcopal Symbols
Mons. Avilés' episcopal motto, taken from Romans 5:5 —Caritas Dei diffusa est in cordibus nostris (“The love of God has been poured into our hearts”)—, reflects his connection to the spirituality of St. Philip Neri. His coat of arms includes elements that evoke both his Mexican heritage and his belonging to the Oratorian tradition: red roses in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and stars from the Neri family coat of arms.
These symbols express the synthesis between his origin, his spiritual formation, and his belonging to a congregation characterized by community life, pastoral dedication, and close accompaniment of the faithful.
The Diocese of Corpus Christi: Context and Challenges
The Diocese of Corpus Christi covers a vast territory on the Texas coast, with urban, rural, and port communities. The Catholic presence is significant and marked by a strong Hispanic identity. In this context, the new bishop will face challenges related to catechetical formation, strengthening local parishes, attention to families, and promotion of priestly and religious vocations.
The arrival of Mons. Avilés marks a new chapter for Corpus Christi. His profile combines international experience in Oratorian life, a deep knowledge of the Hispanic pastoral fabric, and proven stable management in Brownsville. The coming years will show how his pastoral project unfolds in a diocese that faces significant challenges and opportunities for growth in sacramental, educational, and community life.