On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, Father Ivan Alexander Montelongo, J.C.L. made a profession of faith and took the oath of fidelity in compliance with Canon 833, 5 of the Code of Canon Law before assuming the office of Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of El Paso. Father Ivan will assume his new ministry, overseeing the work of the diocesan tribunal, which processes cases concerning nullity and dissolution of marriage; in addition to his recently assigned position as Diocesan Vocation Director. A position that is responsible for providing resources and discernment opportunities that promote and cultivate vocations to ordained and consecrated life.

Father Ivan, made the profession and took the oath during mid-day prayer at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of El Paso amongst the Most Reverend Mark Seitz, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of El Paso, and Auxiliary Bishop, the Most Reverend Anthony Celino, J.C.L., D.D. and a small audience of Pastoral Center directors and staff.

Father Ivan’s appointment was announced in June by Bishop Mark Seitz. Fr. Ivan succeeds Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Celino, J.C.L., D.D., who served as Diocesan Judicial Vicar for over 20 years and is now taking on his role as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.

Father Ivan, who was ordained into the priesthood in 2020, completed his Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.) at the Catholic University of America in Washington and is a graduate of Mundelein Seminary, where he received his Licentiate in Sacred Theology. He was recently serving as the Pastoral Vicar at St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Parish and also served as the Pastoral Vicar at St. Raphael Catholic Church. In addition, Fr. Ivan was recently selected to take part in the Synod on Synodality, a multiyear worldwide effort initiated by Pope Francis in 2021, and was invited, amongst 20 participants from the United States, to attend the first general assembly in Rome, October 4 - 29, 2023.

Fr. Ivan is from El Paso, Texas, and attended Socorro High School.