As we close the book on another year, let’s take a look back at some of our most-read stories from Angelus News in 2019.

Bishop Joseph Brennan waves at his installation Mass in Fresno. (Photo courtesy Diocese of Fresno)

On March 6, native Angeleno Bishop Joseph Brennan was tapped by Pope Francis to be the next bishop of Fresno. The 64-year-old Brennan will succeed retiring Bishop Armando X. Ochoa, a former Los Angeles auxiliary bishop who has shepherded the Fresno Diocese since 2012.

Bishop Alex Aclan. (John Michael Filippone)

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles received a new bishop that same day, as Pope Francis named Alejandro “Alex” Aclan the newest auxiliary bishop in the archdiocese, where Aclan has served as a priest for 25 years.

C.S. Lewis. (AF Archive/Alamy stock photo)

In April, Christopher Kaczor, a professor of philosophy at Loyola Marymount University, dove into a debate about what “myth” really is, using the voices of C.S. Lewis and Jordan Peterson.

Jerry Hill, the senator who sponsored SB360, in a 2006 photo. (Wikimedia/Creative Commons)

California Senate Bill 360, a bill that would force priests to disclose information concerning the sexual abuse of minors that they hear in confession, overwhelmingly voted 30-2 in March. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez expressed his deep disappointment, urging lawmakers to “strengthen mandated reporting laws” while at the same time “preserving the sanctity of penitential communications.”

Ultimately, LA Catholics won the battle to protect their rights in the confessional, pulling out a last-minute victory thanks to letters, prayers, and an interfaith partnership.

Pope Francis answers questions from journalists aboard his flight from Antananarivo. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Vatican expert John Allen explored Pope Francis’ “schism” talk during the Amazon synod, and what’s at stake in his push for reform.

Auxiliary Bishop David G. O'Connell of Los Angeles congratulates Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, after Archbishop Gomez was named the new president during the fall general assembly of the USCCB in Baltimore Nov. 12. (Bob Roller/Catholic News Service)

In November, a landmark vote by the American bishops made Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) at its Fall Assembly in Baltimore. He is the first Latino to hold the highest leadership position in the American Catholic Church.

(Tom Hoffarth/Angelus News)

A school shooting that left three dead and three injured shook the community of Santa Clarita to its core, leaving Catholics to lean on their faith for answers and healing more than ever.

Vicente and Alma Cornejo in a recent photo. (Alma Cornejo)

For years, the only piece of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s tilma outside of Mexico has called Los Angeles home. A local school principal is sharing the story of the relic's miraculous visit to her husband during what doctors were sure was the end of his life.

Archbishop José H. Gomez visits inmates after Christmas Mass in the restrictive housing unit of Men's Central Jail, where the most dangerous inmates are housed. (John McCoy)

To close out the year, with deputies in riot gear keeping watch, Archbishop Gomez spent Christmas morning at Men’s Central Jail, armed with just his mitre and a message of love. He preached a message of unceasing love, regardless of wrongdoing. Gomez’s visit gave the men a sense of “Christmas at home with the family,” said the jail’s chaplain.

Thanks for reading and living the faith with us this year!