Raymundo Joseph Peña

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas on February 19, 1934, Raymundo Peña was the son of Cosme A. Peña and Elisa Ramon Peña. He attended both public and parochial schools in Robstown, Texas, then went to St. John's Seminary and Assumption Seminary, both in San Antonio, Texas.

Peña was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Corpus Christi on May 25, 1957, at Corpus Christi Cathedral by Bishop Mariano Garriaga.[2][3]

Peña was named as diocesan youth director in 1970, holding the position until 1976. In 1969, Peña was also appointed pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Corpus Christi, serving there until 1976. He became editor of the Texas Gulf Coast Catholic paper in 1970, along with vice-president of the Senate of Priests.[3]

On October 16, 1976, Pope Paul VI named Peña as titular bishop of Trisipa and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. He was consecrated at the Convention Center Arena in San Antonio on December 13, 1976, by Archdiocese Francis Furey. [2] [3]

In 1977, Peña was named as vicar general for the archdiocese as well as executive director of the Office of the Laity. In April 1979, after the death of Archbishop Francis Furey, Peña served as administrator sede vacante for the archdiocese until the installation of Patrick Flores as archbishop later in 1979.[3]

On April 4, 1980, Pope John Paul II appointed Peña as Bishop of the Diocese of El Paso, He was installed on June 18, 1980.[2]

On May 23, 1995, John Paul II appointed Peña as Bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville. He was installed on August 6, 1995.[2]

On December 6, 2004, the Dallas Morning News published a report on how Peña handled accusations of sexual abuse against a foreign priest. Basil Onyia, a Nigerian priest, arrived in Diocese of Brownsville in 1999 and was assigned as assistant pastor of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle. In January 2009, Peña received complaints from two women in the parish that Onyia was touching them inappropriately. He told Onyia to stop it. In April 2000, after a woman filed a police complaint, Peña transferred Onyia. Later in 2000, two priests complained to Peña about Onyia's conduct. In January 2001, Peña asks Onyia's bishop in Nigeria to recall him. In February 2001, the relatives of a developmentally disabled girl accused Onyia of rape. Peña finally suspended Onyia, who fled to Nigeria to avoid arrest.[4]

Peña submitted his letter of resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville to the Congregation for Bishops upon reaching 75. His resignation was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on December 9, 2009.[2]

Raymundo Peña died in San Juan, Texas on September 24, 2021, at age 87.[2]