On April 8, 1944 José de Jesus Camacho was born in San Martin de Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico. He attended school in nearby Guadalajara and eventually entered the Catholic seminary to study for the priesthood. He completed his seminary work in Veracruz and was ordained a priest there on December 25, 1975. After 5 years of pastoral work in the state of Veracruz, Camacho answered a call to join the Catholic Diocese of Boise, arriving there July 7, 1981. His first diocesan assignment was as vicar to St. Bernard’s parish in Blackfoot, ID (1981-1985), after which he became parochial vicar at St. Mark’s cathedral in Boise (1986-1987). During this time he worked hard to learn English and was then sent as pastor to St. Hubert’s parish, Homedale, ID (1987-1993). The Bishop then appointed him pastor at St. Jerome’s in Jerome ID (1993-1998) and in 1999 transferred him to St. Mary’s and named him Assisting Priest and Diocesan Director of Prison Ministry, the two positions that he currently holds.

In addition to the education gained in his many years in the seminary, Camacho earned a degree in Media Communications (Radio) at the University of Dayton, Ohio and a Master in Theology (Multicultural Ministry) at the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, California. These two degrees have served him well in his vocation as a priest. Shortly after his arrival in Idaho he has used radio as the means for reaching an ever increasing number of Spanish speakers in the Church. He continues to broadcast a weekly radio message in Spanish and to write columns on religious and cultural themes for various newspapers. His studies at the Jesuit School of Theology enabled him to formulate a plan to apply his concept of “liberation theology” into his pastoral work in Idaho. The Rev. José de Jesus Camacho’s influence among Spanish speaking Catholics and others in Idaho is immeasurable, but no one would question his importance as one of Idaho’s leading spiritual voices.