He was also a co-founder of the Mexican-American Cultural Center, a think tank for scholars and religious leaders to develop pastoral ministry and theology from a Hispanic perspective.
[4] After completing Peacock Military Academy, Elizondo enrolled at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, where he majored in chemistry, earning a Bachelor of Science degree.
Though he had considered a career in medicine, he felt called to serve in the ministry and enrolled in Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, so that he could stay close to his home.
Lucey relied on him as a liaison to the Mexican-American population and brought Elizondo with him as a translator and advisor to the Conference of Latin American Bishops held in 1968 in Medellin, Colombia, which advanced a progressive agenda for the Catholic Church in the Americas.
[3] After this experience, Elizondo returned to San Antonio and soon began to organize the Hispanic population to work to protect its rights.
The abuse allegation was made by a man who says he was molested by Jesus Armando Dominguez from 1980 to 1983 while he lived in an orphanage.
[5] The criminal and civil cases dealing with these child abuse allegations were long delayed and the pending trial date was said to have made him despondent.
[6] Elizondo maintained his innocence and the full details of the allegations and any supporting evidence were never made public.
Elizondo was designated as the co-recipient of the 2007 Community of Christ International Peace Award, along with Dolores Huerta.