Background
Bishop Moreno was born in Placentia, California, to Antonio and Enedina Moreno. His father was a worker in the citrus and walnut groves that surrounded Placentia and nearby Fullerton, and young Manuel often worked with him in the groves.
Bishop Moreno was born in Placentia, California, to Antonio and Enedina Moreno. His father was a worker in the citrus and walnut groves that surrounded Placentia and nearby Fullerton, and young Manuel often worked with him in the groves.
Bishop Moreno graduated from Fullerton Junior College and University of California, Los Angeles where, in 1953, he received a degree in business administration.
He was the sixth Bishop of Tucson. After graduation, instead of beginning a business career, he began preparation for the vocation of the priesthood, entering Our Lady Queen of Angels Seminary in San Fernando, California. He completed his preparation and studies at Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo, California, and was ordained on April 25, 1961.
As a new priest, he continued his studies at the graduate division of the North American College in Rome and then returned to Los Angeles for his first parish assignment.
On January 12, 1982, Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Moreno as the Bishop of the Diocese of Tucson. As the sixth bishop of Tucson, he led the diocese into the significant spiritual time of the New Millennium.
In 2001, he was joined in his ministry as Shepherd of the Diocese by the Most Review Gerald F. Kicanas, who was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Tucson by Pope John Paul II on October 30, 2001.
Moreno resigned as bishop in March 2003 and was succeeded by Kicanas.