R. ROBERT BARRON was named by Pope Francis as AUXILIARY BISHOP of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles earlier this morning, along with Msgr. Joseph V. Brennan and Msgr. David G. O’Connell. For the moment, those priests are called “bishop-elect.”
When I was in Texas, the parish we attended used a series of videos—created with great skill by the (secular) Public Broadcasting System—which featured talks on the Catholic Faith by Fr. Robert Barron. I was not able to attend them, 1 but many of my friends & fellow parishioners told me Fr. Barron did a remarkable job.
I thought it was commendable that Fr. Robert Barron was following the advice of Pope Benedict XVI (pope during that period) by using modern technology to evangelize. Moreover, it is my understanding that Francis Cardinal George was a “friend and mentor” to Fr. Robert Barron. Cardinal George was one of the best bishops in the USA, so it seems Los Angeles is in for a treat!
I’ve not yet had an opportunity to meet MSGR. DAVID O’CONNELL. However, our FSSP chaplain here in Los Angeles has spoken numerous times of his admiration for MSGR. JOSEPH BRENNAN. Here’s an excerpt sent out this morning:
I am really excited that Msgr. Joseph Brennan has also been appointed. He is one of the finest priests I know, and he has been so helpful to me, trying to get the FSSP parish established.
What is an auxiliary bishop? The way it was explained to me, a bishop cannot have jurisdiction “nowhere.” So, the pope often names auxiliary bishops to a large diocese, while naming them TITULAR BISHOP of some Catholic diocese that no longer really exists. Therefore, a bishop cannot truly be named “auxiliary” for a diocese.
NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:
1 Our first child had just been born.
