A bishop selects a coat of arms as a symbol of the service he wants to provide to the Church and its People.
The green hat and the 12 attached tassels (symbolizing the Apostles) are a tradition of the episcopacy.
The distinctively shaped cross in the center of the shield of Bishop Moreno's coat of arms indicates his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The cross can be seen on the broach worn by Our Lady of Guadalupe as she is seen on the tilma of Juan Diego.
On the scroll beneath the shield is Bishop Moreno's motto in Spanish. The motto's English translation is, "I count upon Christ."
An episcopal cross supports the shield and the scroll.
MOST REVEREND MANUEL D. MORENO
BISHOP EMERITUS OF TUCSON
Bishop Moreno was born in Placentia, California, on November 27, 1930, the son of Antonio and Enedina Moreno. His dad was a worker in the citrus and walnut groves that surrounded Placentia and nearby Fullerton, and young Manuel often worked with his dad in the groves to help the Moreno Family make a living.
Bishop Moreno graduated from Fullerton Junior College and UCLA where, in 1953, he received a degree in business administration.
It was during his years at UCLA that he began to consider the possibility of becoming a priest of the Roman Catholic Church.
After graduation, instead of beginning a business career, he began preparation for the vocation of the priesthood, entering Our Queen of Angels Seminary in San Fernando, California. He completed his preparation and studies at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California, and was ordained on April 25, 1961. As a new priest, he continued his studies at the graduate division of the North American College in Rome and then returned to Los Angeles for his first parish assignment.
On December 20, 1976, Pope Paul VI elevated Father Moreno to the Episcopacy of the Catholic Church, and on February 17, 1977, Bishop Moreno was consecrated by the late Cardinal Manning as an auxillary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. On January 12, 1982, Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Moreno as the Bishop of the Diocese of Tucson.
As the fifth bishop of Tucson, he led the diocese into the significant spiritual time of the New Millennium. In 2001, he was joined in his ministry as Shepherd of the Diocese by the Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, who was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Tucson by Pope John Paul II on October 30, 2001.
Pope John Paul II accepted Bishop Moreno's request to retire, for reasons of health, effective March 7, 2003.
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BISHOP EMERITUS OF TUCSON
Bishop Moreno was born in Placentia, California, on November 27, 1930, the son of Antonio and Enedina Moreno. His dad was a worker in the citrus and walnut groves that surrounded Placentia and nearby Fullerton, and young Manuel often worked with his dad in the groves to help the Moreno Family make a living.
Bishop Moreno graduated from Fullerton Junior College and UCLA where, in 1953, he received a degree in business administration.
It was during his years at UCLA that he began to consider the possibility of becoming a priest of the Roman Catholic Church.
After graduation, instead of beginning a business career, he began preparation for the vocation of the priesthood, entering Our Queen of Angels Seminary in San Fernando, California. He completed his preparation and studies at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California, and was ordained on April 25, 1961. As a new priest, he continued his studies at the graduate division of the North American College in Rome and then returned to Los Angeles for his first parish assignment.
On December 20, 1976, Pope Paul VI elevated Father Moreno to the Episcopacy of the Catholic Church, and on February 17, 1977, Bishop Moreno was consecrated by the late Cardinal Manning as an auxillary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. On January 12, 1982, Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Moreno as the Bishop of the Diocese of Tucson.
As the fifth bishop of Tucson, he led the diocese into the significant spiritual time of the New Millennium. In 2001, he was joined in his ministry as Shepherd of the Diocese by the Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, who was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Tucson by Pope John Paul II on October 30, 2001.
Pope John Paul II accepted Bishop Moreno's request to retire, for reasons of health, effective March 7, 2003.
Back to Diocese