It is with sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of the Rt. Rev. Melchor Saucedo, age 94, on January 23. He was the retired Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Western Mexico and the father of the Rev. Susan Saucedo Sica, Vicar at St. Gregory's Church in Parsippany.
Susan writes about her father:
"He served the Church faithfully in many capacities, including this diocese after his retirement when he worked with Bishop Jack Spong as an Assisting Bishop. A humble man, he never forgot his origins and worked tirelessly for "the least of these" as a missionary to Mexico, as a "Reverse Missionary" to the United States, marching with Cesar Chavez, and as Bishop Pro-tem of Cuba among other things. He traveled throughout Latin America for the Episcopal Church, at one point he was the Bishop in charge of three different countries! He founded several churches and missions, and was the heart, if not the soul of the Church in Western Mexico. He accomplished so much in his life that it is hard to put it into a few words. He was my role model but more importantly, my Dad."
Bishop Saucedo's funeral and other memorials will be held in Mexico this week.
Condolences may be sent to the Rev. Susan Saucedo Sica and family at 30 Reynolds Avenue, Parsippany, NJ 07054.
Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Melchor to be a bishop in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by his example; give us the grace to keep the faith he taught and to follow in his footsteps. We entrust him into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
