Francisco Mora y Borrell

Francisco Mora y Borrell (November 25, 1827 – August 3, 1905) was a Spanish-born prelate of the Catholic Church. He was the third Bishop of Monterey-Los Angeles, serving from 1878 to 1896.

Biography Early life Mora was born on November 25, 1827, in the Catalonian village of Gurb to Miguel Mora and Rosa Borrell. He received his early education at the parochial school of Sant Andreu de Gurb before being placed at Casa de Caridad, a school for orphans in Vic. He came to the United States in 1855 and completed his theological studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Perryville, Missouri.

Priesthood Mora was ordained a priest by Bishop Amat on March 19, 1856, in Santa Barbara. His first assignment was to the Church of San Carlos Borromeo in Monterey. As a result, the Congregation removed financial control of the diocese from Mora, forbidding him to sell any property or incur any new debts without Rome's permission. Mora believed these harsh restrictions were due to the influence of California's English-speaking bishops.

After sustaining injuries in a carriage accident, he was given a coadjutor bishop, George Thomas Montgomery, who was consecrated in April 1894. Mora resigned his office on March 13, 1896, and was given the honorary title of Titular Archbishop of Hierapolis in Syria. Mora returned to Spain, taking residence in the Sarrià neighborhood of Barcelona. He died there on August 3, 1905, the thirty-second anniversary of his episcopal consecration. He was buried in Sarrià but in 1962 his remains were moved to Los Angeles and buried at the cathedral.