Ministry, and was elected its treasurer in 1999. From 1998 to 2000, Gómez was on the steering committee for Encuentro 2000, a national celebration of the Jubilee Year 2000. Along with Cardinal Norberto Carrera, Gómez played a key role in the establishment of the Hispanic Seminary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, which opened in August 2000. He also spearheaded the establishment of Centro San Juan Diego for Family and Pastoral Care, a place for formation of lay leaders and a base to provide welcoming services to immigrants, in Denver, Colorado. In 1999, he became the vicar of Opus Dei for Texas. Episcopal career Auxiliary Bishop of Denver On January 23, 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed Gómez auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Denver and titular bishop of Belali. He received his episcopal consecration on March 26, 2001, from Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, with Bishops Joseph Fiorenza and Javier Rodríguez as co-consecrators. Gómez chose as his episcopal motto "Adeamus cum fiducia ad thronum gratiae", meaning "Let us confidently approach the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16). Gómez was the first numerary member of Opus Dei to be consecrated a bishop in the United States. As a bishop, he is no longer a member of that organization since he reports to the pope and thus does not answer to the prelate in charge of Opus Dei. Gómez has said he is not a "member" of Opus Dei, but rather that he was ordained a priest in Opus Dei and that his spirituality reflects that background. Gómez served as rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver from 2001 to 2003. He next served as both moderator of the curia and pastor of Mother of God Church. Archbishop of San Antonio Gómez was appointed archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio on December 29, 2004. In 2005, he was named one of Time's 25 most influential Hispanics in the United States, and in 2007 he was on CNN's list of "Notable Hispanics" in a web special celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. In 2006, Gómez officially introduced The Catholic Community Foundation for the Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. In 2007, he was instrumental in bringing together Hispanic leaders and Catholic bishops for the creation of the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL). During his tenure in San Antonio, Gómez earned a reputation as an orthodox leader who