H.E. Most Rev. Salvador González Morales

Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Cancún-Chetumal

Bishop Salvador González Morales was born on December 20, 1971, in Mexico City, into a family deeply rooted in the Christian faith. From an early age, he developed human and spiritual values that would shape his vocation of service to God and the Church. He received his early education in the capital, where he developed a particular interest in learning, reflection, and commitment to his community.

Before entering the seminary, he studied Food Engineering at the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN). This experience helped strengthen his intellectual discipline and analytical skills. However, as he came to recognize more clearly God’s call to the priesthood, he decided to dedicate his life to pastoral service and began his ecclesiastical formation at the Conciliar Seminary of Mexico, one of the country’s most important institutions for priestly formation.

During his preparation for the priesthood, he studied Philosophy and Theology, deepening his knowledge of Sacred Scripture, Church doctrine, and pastoral ministry. He later continued his academic specialization in Rome, where he furthered his ecclesiastical studies and developed a broader understanding of the universal Church. He was ordained a deacon on June 16, 2001, and received priestly ordination on May 18, 2002, through the laying on of hands by the then Archbishop Primate of Mexico, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, at the National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

From the beginning of his ministry, he distinguished himself by his closeness to the faithful, his dedication to the formation of future priests, and his commitment to evangelization. Over more than two decades of priestly ministry, he held various pastoral, academic, and administrative positions within the Archdiocese of Mexico. Among his responsibilities were serving as parochial vicar, parish administrator, and pastor in different communities, where he promoted Christian formation, pastoral accompaniment, and the strengthening of community life.

His experience in education led him to collaborate actively with institutions of higher learning. He served as General Secretary of the Institute of Higher Ecclesiastical Studies and as Vice Rector of the Conciliar Seminary of Mexico, contributing to the comprehensive formation of seminarians and future priests.

He also served as a coordinator and professor at various academic institutions, including the Pontifical University of Mexico and Lumen Gentium Catholic University, promoting strong intellectual and spiritual preparation among those preparing for ecclesial service. He also carried out important ministry at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where he served as Choir Chaplain, taking part in one of the most significant expressions of Marian devotion among the Mexican people. This experience further deepened his pastoral sensitivity and his closeness to the many expressions of faith within the People of God.

Recognizing his dedication, leadership, and service to the Church, Pope Francis appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Mexico on February 16, 2019, assigning him the titular see of Lacubaza. He received episcopal ordination on March 25 of that same year from Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, Archbishop Primate of Mexico.

As auxiliary bishop, he assumed important pastoral responsibilities within one of the largest and most complex archdioceses in the world. He worked closely in coordinating pastoral activities, accompanying priests, promoting consecrated life, and overseeing various structures of ecclesial governance. He was later appointed Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, playing a key role in the pastoral organization and administration of the archdiocese.

His episcopal ministry has been characterized by his promotion of a Church that is close to the people, committed to evangelization, the formation of lay faithful, and the building of vibrant and participatory communities. His pastoral work has been marked by a spirit of communion, dialogue, and a constant search for new ways to proclaim the Gospel within the diverse contexts of contemporary society.

On December 6, 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed him the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Cancún-Chetumal, succeeding Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo Cárdenas, L.C. The announcement was received with joy by the Catholic community of Quintana Roo, which recognized in him a pastor with extensive experience, solid formation, and deep human and spiritual sensitivity. He took canonical possession of the diocese on February 27, 2026, officially beginning his episcopal ministry at the head of the particular Church of Cancún-Chetumal. Since his arrival, he has expressed his desire to walk alongside the People of God, strengthening evangelization, family ministry, youth formation, the promotion of vocations, and attention to the spiritual and social needs of the region.

Bishop Salvador González Morales has expressed on various occasions that the heart of all pastoral action must be an encounter with Jesus Christ and service to others. His episcopal motto, “Secundum Verbum Tuum” (“According to Your Word”), taken from the Gospel of Saint Luke (1:38), reflects the spirit of openness and trust with which he has responded to God’s call throughout his priestly and episcopal ministry.

Presbyteral Council