'He was everyone's father': Hundreds gather in Sacramento to honor the late Bishop Alphonse Gallegos
Bishop Gallegos, who died 31 years ago this week, was a passionate advocate for the lowrider community
Bishop Gallegos, who died 31 years ago this week, was a passionate advocate for the lowrider community
Bishop Gallegos, who died 31 years ago this week, was a passionate advocate for the lowrider community
Hundreds of people gathered in south Sacramento on Sunday night to honor a religious icon more than three decades after his passing.
Sacramento's lowrider and Hispanic communities came together to remember Bishop Alphonse Gallegos. He served as Sacramento's auxiliary bishop from 1981 to 1991 – and he touched so many lives during that time.
The lowrider community came out in full force Sunday night in front of St. Rose Catholic Church in Sacramento for "The Bishop’s Cruise."
Richard Alcala, who helped organize the event, said he remembers cruising on the streets of Sacramento in the late 1970s, which is when he met Gallegos.
As an advocate for lowriders, Gallegos would bless the cars. That was reenacted Sunday night in his honor by an emissary representing the Vatican. Alcala also said Gallegos was a champion for members of the Hispanic community, and he worked to put them on the right path.
"It was like having a father figure in the street," Alcala said. "He would come out, talk to us, tell us to stay out of trouble, and talk to a parole officer if he had to, and just stay in school, and basically stay out of trouble."
Gallegos was ordained as Sacramento's auxiliary bishop in 1981, after already being well-known for his ministry working with young Hispanics in Los Angeles. Catholics mourned his death in October 1991, when he was hit by a car while helping a stranded motorist.
Lupe Trevizo Hernandez's mother was good friends with Gallegos. She also said one of the bishop's last visits was with her brother, who had AIDS. She called him charismatic and loving, and she still finds solace in his presence.
"Even now, when I need comfort, I go to the Guadalupe church because his crypt is there," Hernandez said.
Mina Perez also said he has fond memories of Bishop Gallegos. He married her to her husband, and he also prayed for her during a tough time, saying that she had a role to play to help those around her. Now, Perez runs The Vida de Oro Foundation, which uses the arts to enhance the community.
"Life just changed. My faith was restored, and I've been serving our community ever since, in good will," Perez said.
There is an ongoing effort to grant Gallegos sainthood. His body was exhumed in 2010 as part of that process. In order to become a saint, officials said there need to be two miracles attributed to Gallegos, that can not be explained by science. Now, more than three decades after his death, city leaders in Sacramento said they hope to make "The Bishop's Cruise" an annual event.
"We can see people coming here not only to enjoy the cruise, but to celebrate the work of Father Gallegos," city of Sacramento Mayor Pro Tem Eric Guerra said.
Community members, such as Alcala, said they want Gallegos to get the recognition he deserves for his immeasurable impact.
"Everyone looked up to him," Alcala said. "He was everyone's father, and he helped so many people."
In addition to trying to make "The Bishop's Cruise" an annual event, organizers said they hope to create a fundraiser for a scholarship in Gallegos' name and give that money to local kids.