The Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM) announced on the morning of May 4 the appointment of two new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of León, Guanajuato. They are the presbyters Rubén de la Cruz Martínez, until now rector of the National Votive Sanctuary of Christ the King of Peace, and Ramón Orozco Muñoz, parish priest of La Sangre de Cristo in San Juan de los Lagos.
With these appointments, Archbishop Jaime Calderón Calderón strengthens his episcopal team at a time of intense pastoral activity. Both priests have a solid academic formation and an extensive track record of service that makes them ideal figures to accompany the archbishop in addressing the growing demands of a Church that serves more than two million faithful.
Rubén de la Cruz Martínez, formed in spirituality and diocesan service
Rubén de la Cruz Martínez was born on May 4, 1966, in San Francisco del Rincón, Guanajuato —precisely on the day he turns 60 he receives his episcopal appointment—. He completed his studies in Humanities, Philosophy, and Theology at the León Seminary between 1982 and 1993, and was ordained a priest on November 21, 1993.
His formation was completed with a licentiate in Spiritual Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (2001-2003). This specialization deeply marked his ministry: between 1996 and 2001, and again from 2003 to 2014, he was spiritual director of the León Seminary. He also held that role at the Irapuato Institute (1994-1996) and was parochial vicar in Pueblo Nuevo.
From 2014 to 2022 he served as rector of the Collegiate Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato and as episcopal vicar of the VI Pastoral Zone. In 2022 he was appointed rector of the National Votive Sanctuary of Christ the King of Peace, one of the most important pilgrimage centers in the country. His trajectory reflects a deep commitment to priestly formation and the spiritual life of the communities he has served.
Mons. Ramón Orozco Muñoz, trainer of presbyters with a moral and bioethical vision
Ramón Orozco Muñoz was born on July 15 1973 in San Agustín, Tototlán, Jalisco. He entered the Minor Seminary of Lagos de Moreno in 1989 and studied Philosophy and Theology at the Major Seminary of San Juan de los Lagos. He was ordained a priest on December 23, 2000.
He expanded his studies with a licentiate in Moral Theology at the Alphonsian Academy in Rome (2003-2005) and a master’s in Bioethics and Formation, also in the Eternal City (2006-2008). His ministry has been closely linked to the formation of future priests. Since the year 2000 he has been a professor at the Major Seminary of San Juan de los Lagos in theological and moral subjects. He was formation auxiliary in the Minor Seminary, coordinator of the configurative stage of the Major Seminary, and rector of the same between 2014 and 2016.
Between 2016 and 2021 he served as general vicar of the Diocese of San Juan de los Lagos. Since 2016 he presides over the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors and has been a member of the College of Consultors and the Council of Orders and Ministries. Since 2021 he is the parish priest of La Sangre de Cristo in San Juan de los Lagos and, recently, dean of the San Pedro Esqueda Deanery. His profile combines solid doctrinal preparation with a clear sensitivity for ethics and the protection of the most vulnerable.
The two appointments respond to the need to strengthen the pastoral government of a key archdiocese in the Mexican Bajío. Both de la Cruz Martínez and Orozco Muñoz have developed their ministry in close contexts —seminaries, parishes, and sanctuaries— and know firsthand the realities of families, youth, and rural and urban communities in the region.
From this blog we wish the new auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of León a fruitful ministry. Congratulations!