The Most Reverend John J. Gomez was born on December 15, 1975, in Santa Rosa del Cabal, Risaralda, Colombia, to José Jairo Gomez and Martha Lucía Cardona. He was raised in Cali, Colombia, where he completed his secondary education before fulfilling his mandatory military service in the Colombian Army. Following his military service, he pursued philosophical studies while working in Colombia before immigrating to the United States in 2002 to begin formation for the priesthood for the Diocese of Tyler.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, Florida, in 2004. He continued his theological studies at the University of St. Thomas and St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas, where he received a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, a Master of Divinity, and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 2009. Following his priestly ordination, he pursued advanced studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.) in 2012.
Father Gomez was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Tyler on May 23, 2009, by Bishop Álvaro Corrada del Río. Following his return from Rome, he served as Parochial Administrator and later Pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Pittsburg, Texas. He subsequently served as Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kilgore and Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Frankston.
In addition to his pastoral assignments, Bishop Gomez has held numerous diocesan leadership roles. He served as Judge of the Diocesan Tribunal, Adjunct Judicial Vicar, Judicial Vicar, Promoter of Justice, Vicar General, and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Tyler. He has also served on the College of Consultors, Presbyteral Council, Diocesan Finance Council, Catholic Charities Board, East Texas Catholic Foundation Board, and as Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies for the Diocese of Tyler.
Fluent in Spanish, English, and Italian, Bishop Gomez became a citizen of the United States in 2021.
On May 1, 2026, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV appointed Father John J. Gomez as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Laredo. He was ordained to the episcopacy and installed as Bishop of Laredo on June 30, 2026.
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