Jaime Soto

Jaime Soto was born at Daniel Freeman Hospital in Inglewood, California. He is the eldest of seven children of a Mexican family.[1][2] His father, Oscar, was a telephone company engineer. In 1956, his family moved to Stanton, where he attended St. Polycarp School as a child. He also played Mass in his backyard with his siblings, knowing he wanted to be a priest as early as second grade.[3] Soto graduated from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana in 1974[4] and he entered St. John's Seminary College in Camarillo. There Soto obtained his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy in 1978, and his Master's in Divinity in 1982.

Soto was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1982. He first served as associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Santa Ana, until July 1984. Soto completed additional studies at Columbia University School of Social Work in New York City, graduating in May 1986 with a Master's in Social Work. He was named Associate Director of Catholic Charities of Orange in July after returning to California. He was appointed as Director of the Immigration and Citizenship Services within Catholic Charities in December. Soto was involved with the implementation of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 as well.

He became Episcopal Vicar for the Hispanic Community in Orange on March 3, 1989, and was raised to the rank of Honorary Prelate of His Holiness in 1990. In addition to his work with the Hispanic community, Soto was made diocesan Vicar for Charities on March 1, 1999.

Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Soto is chairman of the USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, a member of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, and a consultant to the Committee on International Justice and Peace. He is also the chairman of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC).[8]

On November 17, 2010, Soto was appointed the head of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, a USCCB agency. The CCHD has been under intense pressure after allegations that the organization has funded numerous groups advocating the right to abortion and contraception, same-sex marriage, and other activities against Catholic Church doctrine. These reports led a coalition of conservative and pro-life groups to launch a boycott of the national collection, and at least ten bishops chose to cease contributing to the national pot.[9] Soto's appointment came one day after Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York was appointed president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Soto is seen as a defender of "conservative" Catholic values. In 2008, Soto spoke at a conference for the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries, saying that the "homosexual lifestyle" is sinful. Soto stated: "Sexual relations between people of the same sex can be alluring for homosexuals but it deviates from the true meaning of the act and distracts them from the true nature of love to which God has called us all. For this reason, it is sinful." In the same speech, Soto spoke against premarital sex stating: "Sexual intercourse, outside of the marriage covenant between a man and a woman, can be alluring and intoxicating but it will not lead to that liberating journey of true self-discovery and an authentic discovery of God. For that reason, it is sinful."[10] Soto has lamented that contraception has become “the unquestioned default mode of marriage.”[11]

Bishop Soto has been a strong defender of immigrant rights; he encourages Catholics to read the Bible so as to better understand the church’s stance on immigration and its long-standing support for the rights of immigrants. Soto believes that comprehensive immigration reform, if done properly taking into account the concerns of all affected parties, would benefit the country as a whole.[12]

In 2003, Soto was inducted to the inaugural Mater Dei High School Ring of Honor.[4] Soto was recognized during the annual spring Ring of Honor and Founders Circle Dinner for his contributions towards their community.[4]

• Biographical Summary The Most Reverend Jaime Soto www.diocese-sacramento Retrieved: 2010-04-30
• Bishops www.diocese-sacramento Retrieved: 2010-04-30
• "Diocese of Sacramento". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 2010-04-30.

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento Official Website
• Diocesan Bishop The Most Reverend Jaime Soto Retrieved: 2010-03-13
• "Resign Unfaithful Bishops"