Myron Joseph Cotta

Myron Joseph Cotta (born March 21, 1953) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was appointed as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Stockton in California by Pope Francis on January 23, 2018. His installation mass was celebrated on March 15, 2018, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Modesto, California. Cotta previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento in California from 2014 to 2018.

Biography

Early life Myron Cotta was born on March 21, 1953, in Dos Palos, California, to Daniel and Mary Cotta. Growing up on a dairy farm, he attended Dos Palos High School. He received an associates degree from West Hills College Coalinga in Coalinga, California.

Deciding to become a priest, Cotta entered St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, California, in 1980. He received a bachelor's degree and a Master of Divinity degree in 1987.

Priesthood Cotta was ordained a priest at St. Anthony Church in Fresno by Bishop José de Jesús Madera Uribe for the Diocese of Fresno on September 12, 1987. The diocese assigned Cotta to the following pastoral assignments in California parishes:

Parochial vicar at St. Anthony in Atwater (1987 to 1989) Administrator of Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Laton (1989 to 1992) Pastor of Our Lady of Miracles Parish in Gustine (1992 to 1999) Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and Archbishop Christophe Pierre attended the installation mass.

Cotta is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.