Pastor, Teacher, Cursillista, and Witness to Christ
Monsignor Antonio Camilo González was born on February 7, 1938, in Ojo de Agua, now in the province of Hermanas Mirabal, Dominican Republic. He was the son of Antonio Camilo Pantaleón and Caridad González Garrido. From a very young age, he felt a calling to the priesthood and entered the Padre Fantino Pre-Seminary in Santo Cerro, later continuing his studies at the Pontifical Seminary of St. Thomas Aquinas and subsequently in Argentina and Spain, where he studied philosophy and theology.
He was ordained a priest on July 1, 1962, by Monsignor Octavio Antonio Beras Rojas, beginning a ministry spanning more than six decades characterized by his closeness to the people, his solid formation, and his dedication to evangelization.
An event of enormous significance for the history of the Cursillos in Christianity Movement is that Monsignor Antonio Camilo González participated in the historic First Cursillo in Christianity of the Dominican Republic, held from September 27 to 30, 1962, in Santo Domingo. He was part of the pioneering group that gave rise to the Movement in the country, an experience that profoundly shaped his spirituality and pastoral vision. Throughout his life, he promoted the Cursillista charism, accompanying Cursillos, Ultreyas, and retreats, and encouraging thousands of laypeople to live the Gospel to the fullest.
Later, he served as a collaborator and promoter of the Cursillos in Christianity Movement, supporting its growth and strengthening throughout the country. As Bishop of La Vega, he always maintained a close relationship with the MCC, participating in numerous activities and constantly encouraging Cursillistas with the motto: “Christ Counts on You.”
On October 10, 1992, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of La Vega by Saint John Paul II; his appointment was announced during the Holy Father’s apostolic visit to the Dominican Republic. He was ordained a bishop on December 8 of that same year and served for more than twenty-two years, promoting vocations, priestly formation, parishes, and apostolic movements.
His ministry was marked by simplicity, prudence, love for the Church, and the defense of human and Christian values. Priests, religious, and laypeople always found in him a pastor who was approachable and a man of deep faith.
On July 17, 2026, he passed away at the age of 88 while receiving medical care in Santiago. The news filled the Dominican Church with sorrow, and in a special way, the Diocese of La Vega and the Cursillos de Cristiandad Movement, which bid a grateful farewell to one of their great shepherds and one of the participants in the first Cursillo held in the Dominican Republic.
His legacy lives on in the communities he served, in the priests he formed, and in the thousands of Cursillistas who found in him a true witness to Jesus Christ. His life will continue to inspire future generations to live the Gospel with joy and to proclaim, through deeds and words, that Christ counts on each one of us.
De Colores, Monsignor Antonio Camilo González! May the Lord grant you eternal rest.
