RIP Fr. Guillermo - Beloved Catholic Priest who Worked with Migrants Dies Suddenly at Age 39

Fr Fathér Guillermo Treviño Jr. age 39, was a priest who advocated for the rights of immigrants in the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa, and died suddenly on October 31. He was a priest of the Diocese of Davenport, and had fallen ill while in Rome with his sister participating in the World Assembly of Popular Movements convened by the Pope. His condition, which was worsening, was not addressed until he was able to return to the United States. He developed sepsis, and died on Friday, October 31, 2025 at UI Medical Center, Downtown Iowa City.

Fr. Guillermo was born on March 7, 1986 in San Antonio, Texas, a son of Maria (Luna) and Guillermo Treviño, Sr. He graduated from Moline High School in 2004. He was later educated at Black Hawk College where he earned an associate’s degree and then entered into Conception Seminary College and Mundelein Seminary. On June 6, 2015 he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Davenport by Bishop Martin Amos. He has served at St. Peter Parish in Buffalo, St. Alphonsus Parish, Davenport, St. Mary Parish, Davenport, St. Bernadette Parish in West Branch, and chaplain at Regina, Iowa City. He served as pastor of St. Joseph, West Liberty and St. Joseph, Columbus Junction since 2021.
He was founder, board president, and chaplain of Escucha Mi Voz Iowa, a group helping Latino workers, including immigrants. They wrote that Fr. Guillermo lived his priesthood alongside the poor, the workers and the immigrants. He carried the Gospel message of justice and dignity for all. His faith, courage and joyful spirit inspired people across the country.

The Diocese of Davenport wrote: It is with great sadness to announce that Father Guillermo Treviño passed away in Iowa after a short illness. 

From Bishop Dennis Walsh, Bishop of Davenport:
“Words cannot adequately express the deep sense of loss we feel across the diocese. Father Guillermo lived his priesthood with a remarkable and authentic closeness to his people, serving untiringly as Pastor of both St. Joseph Church in Columbus Junction and St. Joseph Church in West Liberty.” “Father Guillermo’s heart was consistently with those in need. Throughout the current migrant crises, he showed great compassion for the many migrants who find themselves on edge due to aggressive immigration enforcement action. His voice was becoming a beacon of hope and advocacy on this vital issue, gaining national prominence. He was recently invited to be part of a panel discussion at Georgetown University and had the distinct honor of traveling to the Vatican as part of the World Gathering of Popular Movements. His leadership and commitment to justice will be deeply missed by the Church and the wider community he so faithfully served.”
“Our hearts go out to the parishioners of St. Joseph (Columbus Junction) and St. Joseph (West Liberty), whose communities he nurtured with such energy and love. We also extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to Father Guillermo’s mother and the entire family during this difficult time. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.”
Father Guillermo received the National 2022 Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award. The award recognizes a “young faith-filled Catholic who has demonstrated leadership against poverty and injustice in the United States,” according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It “recognizes the leadership, energy and diverse skills that young people bring to the anti-poverty work of low-income projects and Catholic parishes. It highlights the gifts of young leaders and their Gospel commitment to the poor.” Cardinal Joseph Bernardin (1928-1996) was a strong supporter of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD).
Father Treviño was a founding member and chaplain of Escucha Mi Voz Iowa (Listen to Me), which is an outgrowth of CCHD-funded Quad Cities Interfaith

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Guillermo will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 7, 2025 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 422 E. 10th Street, Davenport. The Mass will be livestreamed by clicking the following link: Sacred Heart Cathedral YouTube . Burial will be in the Priest Circle at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 107 W. 6th Street, West Liberty, Iowa with the rosary prayed at 6 p.m. followed by a vigil service. There will be additional visitation Friday from 9 until 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral. There will be Nobena offered for nine days beginning Saturday at St. Joseph, West Liberty. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to establish a memorial at a later date. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

https://www.davenportdiocese.org/documents/2025/11

https://www.hmdfuneralhome.com/obituaries/rev-guillermo-trevino-jr