Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Ramón Bejarano, currently auxiliary bishop of San Diego and titular bishop of Carpi, as bishop of Monterey, California.
The appointment was publicized in Washington Dec. 17 by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
"We will lose a wonderful person, a gentle soul and a strong advocate for peace and justice in our Diocese of San Diego," San Diego Bishop Michael Pham said in a statement."The Diocese of Monterey will gain a bishop who has the heart of the Good Shepherd.
"I am truly grateful for Bishop Bejarano for his openness, collaboration, wisdom, and constant support in my ministry," he continued. "We wish him the very best in his new journey as he shepherds the People of God in this portion of the Lord's vineyard."
He added, "May God continue blessing him with a joyful heart and peaceful spirit. May our Blessed Mother Mary continue walking with him in his life ministry."
The Diocese of Monterey Diocese has been without a bishop since July 2, when Bishop Daniel E. Garcia was appointed the new shepherd of the Diocese of Austin, Texas, where he was installed Sept. 18. Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Slawomir S. Szkredka was named to serve as apostolic administrator until a new bishop was named.
Born in Laredo, Texas, Bishop Bejarano, 56, spent his early life in Aldama, in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua as his family moved back to Mexico soon after his birth.
"He and his family moved to Tracy, in California's San Joaquin Valley, when he was 18. He immediately began working in the fields to help support his family, later working in maintenance at a hotel," said the website of the Diocese of San Diego.
He completed his ecclesiastical studies at the Archdiocesan Seminary of Tijuana, Mexico, and at the Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon.
"Fulfilling a life-long dream," he was ordained a priest on Aug. 15, 1998, for the Diocese of Stockton, California.
He previously served as parish vicar at St. George in Stockton and at Sacred Heart in Turlock, and later as parish priest of Holy Family and St. Stanislaus, both in Modesto.
He served as chaplain to the Migrant Ministry, celebrating Mass for families and workers in migrant camps.
He also was a member of the priests' council and the College of Consultors. He was appointed titular bishop of Carpi and auxiliary bishop of San Diego on Feb. 27, 2020, and was ordained a bishop that July.
"The Eucharist is Bishop Bejarano’s inspiration for his vocation," San Diego's diocesan website said. "It was through the Eucharist that he received his call to the priesthood at age seven and which keeps his faith and his ministry going. It represents the call to offer oneself as a living sacrifice."
His episcopal motto is "My soul is thirsting for you."
In the Diocese of San Diego, he served as vicar for ethnic and intercultural communities; vicar for life, peace and justice; and vicar for ecumenical and interreligious affairs.
The Diocese of Monterey is comprised of 21,916 square miles in the state of California and has a total population of 1,042,464, of which 368,150, are Catholic.
