The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez was ordained on July 16, 2016, as the 16th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, the second oldest and fourth largest in the Episcopal Church. Gutiérrez emphasizes evangelism, discipleship, innovation, creativity, accountability, adaptability, integrity and hope. He restructured the Diocesan offices to better serve its parishes without increasing the budget and intensified staff efforts towards serving the people of the diocese. Ninety percent of staff time is spent among the diocese’s churches – assisting, supporting and envisioning.
Bishop Gutierrez comes from a family dedicated to public service and he spent over two decades serving in government. Before his calling as bishop, Gutiérrez had a distinguished career in both The Episcopal Church and in public service in New Mexico. Rebuilding and growing churches were the hallmark of his time in key leadership positions at The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. At the request of the Presiding Bishop, he served in an administrative oversight position for The Episcopal Church in Navajoland, which included being vice president of the Navajoland Economic Development Corporation.
His career in public service included serving as chief of staff to the Mayor of Albuquerque and Director of Economic Development. More than 25,000 private sector jobs were created as a result of his efforts to recruit new businesses and expand existing ones.
Throughout his years in public service and in the church, Gutiérrez has served as a board member for numerous national organizations. In 2018, he served as vice-chairperson of The Social Justice and International Policy Committee for the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church. He currently serves as president of The Compass Rose Society, which supports the work of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion throughout the world, and was appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the General Secretary of the Anglican Consultative Council to serve on the Church Growth and Planting Commission for the Anglican Communion. He is chair of the Board of Trustees for Episcopal Community Services, The Church Foundation, and the Widows Corporation. He serves as a board member for The American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, The Church Farm School, and The Episcopal Academy. He also is a trustee of the General Seminary of The Episcopal Church. In addition, Gutiérrez is a conferee of the Venerable Order of St. John; a co-convener of the Bishops United Against Gun Violence; a member of the Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia; and Vicar-General of the British Officers Club of Philadelphia.
A native of New Mexico, Gutiérrez comes from a family that settled in “the Land of Enchantment” in the 1500s. He oversees and operates San Policarpio Land and Cattle, the family ranching business in New Mexico. He received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and History and a Master of Public Administration (concentration in budgeting), all from the University of New Mexico. While at the University of New Mexico, he was named a Graduate Scholars Fellow. Gutiérrez earned a diocesan certificate in Anglican Studies through the Trinity School for Ministry and a Master in Theological Studies from St. Norbert College.
Aside from his faith, Gutiérrez counts as his most important role and greatest responsibility a position he assumed on June 26, 1998, when he became the extremely proud father of his son Jude, a senior at the University of New Mexico. It is a joy he shares with his wife, best friend, and partner of 30 years, Suzanne Fletcher Gutiérrez. The family shares in this joy with a household of dogs, turtles, pheasants, owls, and the other miscellaneous “pets” that wander through their lives.
Bishop Gutierrez deeply believes in the strength and faith of people of the diocese living as the Body of Christ. He emphasizes a bishop’s role as pastor to the clergy and a shepherd to the laity. He invites you to join this revolutionary and renewing diocese as we seek to know Jesus and change the world. God is with us and our message and purpose is clear – Jesus Christ.
