The Rt. Rev. Leo Jesus Alard, Bishop Suffragan of Texas, died Oct. 16 following a long illness. Bishop Alard was waiting for a liver transplant when his health deteriorated. He was 62.

“We are deeply saddened by Leo’s death and will miss his joy for life and his passion for our Lord Jesus Christ,” said the Rt. Rev. Don Wimberly, Bishop of Texas. “Leo was the wind in our sails when he preached. His passion for evangelism and mission enabled us to reach many, many people. He was greatly loved by everyone.”

In 1986, Bishop Alard came to Texas as the executive director of the Center for Hispanic Ministries of Province 7 and was later called to be canon for Hispanic Ministries in the Diocese of Texas. He served concurrently as vicar of Santa Cruz, Houston, and became canon for Multi-Cultural Ministries in 1995, the same year he was elected bishop suffragan. Bishop Alard was instrumental in the development of lay leadership in Cursillo, Faith Alive, Marriage Encounter and Kairos, a prison ministry. He served as president of the National Commission on Hispanic Ministries, as a member of the Standing Commission on Evangelism, the Joint Commission on Christian Initiation, the National Lay Hispanic Network, and other boards and committees nationwide.

Born in Havana, Cuba, he came to the United States at the age of 20.