Very Reverend Salvador Gonzalez

Very Rev. Salvador Gonzalez has served as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Fresno since 2020. In this role, Fr. Sal assists the Bishop by overseeing the day-to-day administration of the Diocese. In addition to his responsibilities as Vicar General, he also serves as Rector of St. John’s Cathedral.

Throughout his priestly ministry, Fr. Sal has served in numerous parishes across the Diocese. He has also previously held the positions of Director of Vocations and Vicar Forane for two diocesan vicariates (regions).

In 1990, Fr. Sal entered priestly formation by taking residence at the St. John Vianney House, the diocesan formation house, while attending Fresno City College. In 1993, he entered St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in theology with a minor in philosophy. He then continued his theological studies at Mount Angel Seminary in Saint Benedict, Oregon, earning a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fresno in 2001.

Fr. Sal was born in Los Angeles, California, to Salvador Gonzalez Sr. and Olivia Gonzalez, both natives of Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico. He first discerned a calling to the priesthood in his early years while attending Catholic school with the Marist Brothers. After spending time living in Mexico, he returned to the United States to continue pursuing his vocation to the priesthood.