Diocesan Offices

Office of the Vicar General

A vicar is a cleric who takes the place of another and exercises authority in the other’s name, in accord with the prescriptions of canon law. The Vicar General is appointed in a diocese as the "alter ego" (other self) of the bishop to assist him in the administration and pastoral care of the diocese. The Vicar General has executive, but not legislative or judicial authority. He represents and acts in the place of the Bishop in his absence.

Vicar General
Rev. Robert E. Maher
700 N Virgen de San Juan Blvd, San Juan TX, 78589
Phone 956-787-8571• Fax 956-784-5081

Judicial Vicar

The Judicial Vicar acts as a resource to the Bishop for Canonical matters. The Judicial Vicar also serves as a consultative agency for Priests, Religious and Laity in Canonical Affairs. The Judicial Vicar heads the Tribunal. With two offices, the main one in Brownsville and another in San Juan. The Tribunal serves as First Instance Court for petitions challenging the validity of marriage and judges by trial the rights of physical and juridic persons. The Tribunal renders judgements at the request of and on behalf of people seeking justice under a set of guidelines and laws established as part of the universal law of the Church.

Judical Vicar
Rev. Oliver Angel, JCL
700 N Virgen de San Juan Blvd, San Juan, TX 78589
Phone 956-784-5070• Fax 956-784-5087

Office of the Chancellor

The office of the Chancellor sees to it that curial acts are drawn up, authenticated, expedited, and safeguarded in the archives. Annual statistical data is collected to provide reports to the Vatican, the Official Catholic Directory, national and state catholic conferences and to publish the diocesan directory.

Rev. Msgr. Heberto M. Diaz, Jr., Chancellor/Deans Coordinator
Rev. Thomas G. Kulleck Historical Archivist

Deans
Rev. Msgr. Heberto M. Diaz, Jr.	St. John Deanery
Rev. Gabriel Ezeh	St. Paul Deanery
Rev. Craig Carolan	St. Andrew Deanery
Rev. Eusebio Martinez	St. Peter Deanery
Rev. Isaac Emeka Erondu	St. James Deanery
Rev. Patrick Seitz	St. Matthew Deanery
Rev. Msgr. Gustavo Barrera	St. Philip Deanery

Rev. Jorge A. Gomez Vice-Chancellor
Holy Family Church, 2308 E Tyler St, Brownsville, TX 78520 Phone 956-546-6975 • Fax 956-550-8884

Moderator of the Curia

The Moderator of the Curia coordinates administrative activities under the authority of the Bishop and ensures faithful fulfillment of office by other members of the Curia.

Brownsville
Rev. Msgr. Heberto M. Diaz, Jr., Moderator of the Curia
1910 University Blvd, Brownsville, TX 78520
Phone 956-542-2501 • Fax 956-542-6751

San Juan
Rev. Msgr. Heberto M. Diaz, Jr., Moderator of the Curia
700 N Virgen de San Juan, San Juan, TX 78589
Phone 956-787-8571 • Fax 956-784-5081

Episcopal Vicars

Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy
Rev. Patrick Seitz
St. Pius X Church 600 S Oklahoma Ave, Weslaco TX 78596 Phone 956-968-7471• Fax: 956-969-3040

Service: He serves as a liaison between the Clergy and the Bishop; promoting effective communication between them. This office also responds to expressed needs of the clergy and structures opportunities for spiritual and professional development.

Episcopal Vicar for Religious
Rev. Thomas Luczak, OFM
Sacred Heart Church 306 S 15th St, McAllen, TX 78501 Phone 956-686-7711• Fax 956-686-2028

Service: This Vicar serves as the Bishop’s liaison with the Religious engaged in ministry in this diocese. Reviews contracts, assuring that the religious receives the proper salary and benefits in accord with diocesan policy and responds to the expressed needs of Religious.