Background
Cotta was born in Dos Palos, California and was educated in public and Catholic schools before receiving an associates degree from West Hills College Coalinga in Coalinga, California.
Cotta was born in Dos Palos, California and was educated in public and Catholic schools before receiving an associates degree from West Hills College Coalinga in Coalinga, California.
He studied for the priesthood at Saint John"s Seminary in Camarillo, California.
Since 2014 he has served as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento. Cotta was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fresno on September 12, 1987. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
After ordination, Cotta served as the parochial vicar at Saint Anthony Parish in Atwater from 1987 to 1989 and the administrator of Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Laton from 1989 to 1992.
He served as the pastor of Our Lady of Miracles Parish in Gustine from 1992 to 1999. Following his pastoral assignments he served as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Fresno.
Pope John Paul II named Cotta a Chaplain of His Holiness, with the title of Monsignor, in 2002. Pope Benedict XVI named him a Prelate of Honor in 2009.
Pope Francis named Cotta the Titular Bishop of Muteci and Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento on January 24, 2014.
He was ordained in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento on March 25, 2014 by Bishop Jaime Soto. Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa of Fresno and retired Bishop José de Jesús Madera Uribe, M.Sp.S. of the Archdiocese for the Military Services were the principal co-consecrators.