Rubén Antonio González Medina, C.M.F. (born February 9, 1949) is a Puerto Rican Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Ponce from 2015 to 2026. He previously served as Bishop of Caguas from 2000 to 2015. He is a members of the Claretians.
Biography
Early life Rubén González was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, on February 9, 1949. At age 17, in 1966, he entered the Claretian novitiate in Salvatierra, Álava, Spain, and professed temporary religious vows in 1967. From 1969 to 1973, he studied philosophy and completed his first year of theology in Colmenar Viejo, Community of Madrid. In 1972, González professed his perpetual vows as a member of the congregation and later completed his studies at the diocesan seminary of Paso Ancho, Costa Rica.
Priesthood González was ordained a deacon in Costa Rica on September 8, 1974. He received his ordination as a priest of the Claretian Order from Bishop Ignacio Nazareno Trejos Picado in Costa Rica on February 9, 1975. González was elected as the local superior of the Claretian Missionaries of the Antilles in 1999.
Bishop of Caguas
González was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Caguas by Pope John Paul II on December 12, 2000, taking over from the apostolic administrator, Bishop Álvaro Corrada del Río, S.J. González was consecrated by Cardinal Luis Aponte Martínez on February 4, 2001.
Bishop of Ponce On December 22, 2015, González was appointed by Pope Francis as bishop of the Diocese of Ponce; he was installed on January 31, 2016. González is the Grand Prior of the Puerto Rico Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
On June 24, 2026 Pope Leo XIV accepted his resignation after reaching the retirement age of 75.
See also
Catholic Church hierarchy Catholic Church in the United States Historical list of the Catholic bishops of Puerto Rico List of Catholic bishops of the United States Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
References
External links
Roman Catholic Diocese of Ponce (Official Site in Spanish)
Episcopal succession