Daniel E. Garcia
Daniel Elias Garcia (born August 30, 1960) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was consecrated an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Austin in Texas on March 3, 2015. On January 29, 2019, Garcia was installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Monterey in California. Biography. Early life and education. Garcia was born in Cameron, Texas as the first child of Daniel and Sarah Garcia. He graduated from C.H. Yoe High School in 1978 and earned an Associate degree from Tyler Junior College in 1982. Subsequently, he entered formation and earned  a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary's Seminary at the University of St. Thomas in 1984. Garcia completed his Master of Divinity studies at Saint Mary's in 1988. In 2007 he earned a Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies from the Saint John's School of Theology. Ordination and ministry. Garcia was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Austin by Bishop John E. McCarthy on May 28, 1988. He then served as associate pastor at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Parish in Austin until 1990. Garcia then served one year terms as associate pastor at  Cristo Rey Parish, St. Louis Parish, and then St. Mary Magdalene Parish, all in Austin. He was named pastor of St. Vincent De Paul Parish in Austin in 1995, a position he would hold for the next 18 years. In addition to serving in parishes, Garcia served on the Priests’ Personnel Board, the College of Consultors, and the Presbyteral Council. He also served as chair of the Presbyteral Council and as dean of the Austin North Deanery. He was a member of the Diocesan Vocation Team, the Liturgical Commission, and the Diaconal Advisory Committee, as well as serving as master  of ceremonies for the Bishop. On March 3, 2014, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez appointed Garcia as vicar general and moderator of the curia. Auxiliary Bishop of Austin. On January 21, 2015, Garcia was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Austin and titular bishop of Capsus by Pope Francis. He received his episcopal consecration on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 from Bishop Vásquez. Bishop of Monterey. On November 27, 2018, Pope Francis appointed Garcia as bishop for the Diocese of Monterey. He was installed on January 29, 2019.