Fr. Gabriel López-Betanzos, JCL

Fr. Gabriel López-Betanzos has served as Parochial Vicar at Pastorate 20, which includes St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church and St. Christopher Catholic Parish, since July 1, 2023.

Fr. Gabi grew up in Lansing, Michigan, where he attended St. Gerard Catholic School and Lansing Catholic High School.

He earned a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After college, he worked briefly first as a software developer at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota, and then as a clinical systems analyst at UW Health in Madison, before discerning a vocation to the priesthood.

He attended seminary at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, and the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he completed his theological studies at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. Next, Fr. Gabi continued at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross to earn a Licentiate degree in Canon Law.

Fr. Gabi was ordained to the priesthood on June 26, 2015, by Bishop Robert Morlino at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. Following his ordination, he served as Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona during school breaks from his canon law studies. Then, he served as Parochial Vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee and St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Westport, Parochial Vicar of St. Paul Parish in Madison, and Pastor of St. Peter Parish in Madison.

In addition to his parochial assignments, Fr. Gabi has served in the Tribunal of the Diocese of Madison since completing his graduate degree in Canon Law. After brief stints as Judge and then Defender of the Bond, he has served as Judicial Vicar since 2018.
 
In his free time, Fr. Gabi enjoys bicycling, walking, and watching movies.