Archbishop of San Francisco
Salvatore J. Cordileone was born on June 5, 1956, in San Diego, California, within the diocese of the same name. After completing his philosophical studies at Saint Francis Seminary and the University of San Diego (1974–1978), he pursued theological studies at the Pontifical North American College and the Gregorian University in Rome (1978–1982). Later, he obtained a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Gregorian University (1985–1989). He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Diego on July 9, 1982. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: parochial vicar at Saint Martin of Tours Parish in La Mesa (1982–1985); personal secretary to the bishop (1989–1991); adjutant judicial vicar (1990–1991); pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Calexico (1991–1995); and official at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in Rome (1995–2002). Appointed Titular Bishop of Natchez and Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego on July 5, 2002, he received episcopal ordination on August 21 of that year. He was promoted to the See of Oakland on March 23, 2009. Within the Episcopal Conference, he serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage and as a member of the Committee for Canonical Affairs and Church Governance. Additionally, he is a member of the Committee on Religious Liberty of the California Catholic Conference. In addition to English, he speaks Italian and Spanish and knows Latin.