Biography of The Rev. Francisco Valle

The Rev. Francisco Valle, is the Priest-in-Charge of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, Hillandale in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.  Born and raised in El Salvador, he attended the José Simeon Cañas National Institute and obtained his Associate Degree in Social and Human Sciences. He was admitted in 1990 to the Roman Catholic Regional Seminary, “San José de la Montaña” in San Salvador, where he studied Philosophy for three years. In 1993 he began his studies in Theology, earning his Master in Divinity in 1996.

In August of 1997, The Reverend Francisco Valle was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Zacatecoluca in La Paz, El Salvador. He was then appointed as Rector of the Saint Peter the Apostol Church in San Pedro Masahuat El Salvador, and Rector of the “Clara Luna de Samayoa” Parochial School by The Right Reverend Romeo Tovar Astorga, Bishop of the Diocese of Zacatecoluca.

During these first years of priesthood Father Francisco implemented and developed the “Basic Ecclesial Communities” – small neighborhood groups which meet to reflect upon scripture and apply its lessons to their, religious, political, and community life. He also managed and began the reconstruction work of the new parish school building and taught religion curriculum for middle school students at the “Clara Luna de Samayoa” Parish school.

In 2001, Father Francisco received a call to serve as a missionary priest, for the pastoral care of migrant workers and their families, for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond in the State of Virginia in the United States of America. He was also appointed Associate Rector and Latino missionary for the St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Eastern Shore, Virginia.

During the following years Father Francisco served in the creation and implementation of the first pastoral plan of the Latino congregation in the area; personal and community development workshops, and; pastoral care of migrant workers and their families. He was then he was appointed Priest in Charge for the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle in the Eastern Shore, Virginia.

In 2014, after some sabbatical years, consultations and a long process of prayerful discernment, The Reverend Francisco Valle was received as Episcopal Priest for the Diocese of Washington DC, the USA capital.

He has since participated in the requisite course work and obtained certifications that reinforce his pastoral work. These include:

• • Certification of Child Development Assistant by the Council for Professionals Recognition of Washington DC;
  • Studies in Children’s Pedagogy, and;
  • Certification in Child Evolutionary Psychology.

The Reverend Francisco Valle is happily married to Lourdes Orellana and they have three children – Maximo Nestor Valle, Sabina Alexa Valle and Camilo Alexander Valle – with whom he enjoys a wonderful family life.