Archbishop Gomez announces pastoral assignments for new auxiliary bishops

Archbishop José H. Gomez announced the pastoral assignments for Bishops-elect Joseph V. Brennan, David G. O’Connell and Robert Barron on Aug. 17. 

Bishop-elect Brennan will serve as the episcopal vicar of the San Fernando Pastoral Region; Bishop-elect O’Connell will serve the as episcopal vicar of the San Gabriel Pastoral Region; and Bishop-elect Barron will serve as the episcopal vicar for the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region. 

“This is a time of joy for the family of God here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,” the archbishop said. “It is important to remember that all of our auxiliary bishops are ordained to serve, not only the region they are assigned to, but the entire family of God in Los Angeles.” 

The five pastoral regions were established in 1986 and also include the pastoral regions of Our Lady of the Angels and San Pedro, where Auxiliary Bishops Edward W. Clark and Oscar Solis serve. 

Archbishop Gomez thanked Msgr. James Loughnane and Msgr. Michael J. Jennet for serving as episcopal vicars of the San Gabriel and Santa Barbara regions. He also thanked Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Wilkerson, who is retiring as episcopal vicar of the San Fernando region. 

On July 21, it was announced that Pope Francis had appointed Bishops-elect Brennan, O’Connell and Barron as auxiliary bishops of Los Angeles. Bishops-elect Brennan and O’Connell have served in the archdiocese for decades. 

Bishop-elect Barron, a priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago, is well known for his work in the media. His Word on Fire media apostolate donated his “Catholicism” series to the parishes of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.