Pope Francis named three new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Tuesday, and accepted the retirement of the San Fernando Pastoral Region’s auxiliary bishop, who reached the retirement age of 75.
Monsignors David O’Connell and Joseph Brennan, who already serve in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, were named auxiliary bishops, along with the Rev. Robert Barron, who is the rector/president of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Chicago.
O’Connell, who was born in Ireland, has been a priest since 1979 and has held a variety of posts in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, primarily in the South Los Angeles area. He is pastor of St. Frances X. Cabrini Church.
Brennan, a Van Nuys native, has served as vicar general and moderator of the curia since 2012.
“I believe each of these new auxiliary bishops will help us in our mission here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles — the beautiful mission we have of sharing the love of God and the message of Jesus Christ and promoting human dignity and mercy and justice in our society,” Archbishop Jose Gomez said.
The pope also accepted the retirement of Bishop Gerald E. Wilkerson of the San Fernando Pastoral Region.
Gomez thanked Wilkerson for his 50 years of service with the diocese, saying he has “fulfilled his ministry with zeal and dedication, and we are very grateful for the many things he has done for the people of God in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.”
The three new auxiliary bishops are expected to be ordained this fall.
—City News Service