Most Rev. Oscar Cantú, S.T.D was born December 5, 1966, in Houston, TX, the son of Ramiro and Maria de Jesus Cantú, natives of small towns near Monterey in Mexico. He is the fifth of eight children, five boys, and three girls. Bishop Cantú attended Holy Name Catholic School and St. Thomas High School in Houston, and he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dallas, TX. He received his Masters in Divinity and Masters in Theological Studies from the University of St. Thomas also in Houston. He attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome Italy where he earned his S.T.L. Licentiate in Sacred Theology, as well as his S.T.D., Doctorate in Sacred Theology in Dogmatic Theology. Bishop Cantú was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Houston in 1994.

He spent his priestly career working in parishes throughout the Houston metropolitan area. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Christopher Parish. He also taught at the University of St. Thomas and at St. Mary’s Seminary. He also served as pastor at Holy Name Parish.

Bishop Cantú also participated in a number of ministries and movements in Houston. He was involved in the Christian Family movement; conducted retreats with the youth of the CFM movement in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese; and worked with the Engaged Encounter ministry. Bishop Cantú was also involved in The Metropolitan Organization (TMO) that addresses social issues in the community.

Bishop Cantú was ordained a bishop in 2008 and was then appointed Titular Bishop of Dardano and Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio. In 2013, Bishop Cantú was appointed as the second bishop of the Diocese of Las Cruces, NM. He was installed as bishop on February 28, 2013, by Provincial, The Most Reverend Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe, and The Most Reverend Carlo Maria Viganó, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America. In 2018,  Bishop Cantú was named by Pope Francis as the Coadjutor Bishop of San Jose.