Pope Francis Appoints Father Ramon Bejarano
as New Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego
The new Auxiliary Bishop will strengthen the growing Hispanic communities in San Diego and Imperial Counties and joins the leadership of the Diocese of San Diego.
( SAN DIEGO. Feb. 27, 2020 ) – The Vatican announced today that Pope Francis has named Father Ramon Bejarano, a priest of the Diocese of Stockton, as the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego. The Bishop-Elect, who has roots on both sides of the border, will join the current leadership of the diocese.
“Today our local Church in San Diego is deeply blessed to welcome a new Auxiliary Bishop who will work with me and Auxiliary Bishop John Dolan in leading the Catholic communities of San Diego and the Imperial Valley,” said San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy.
Bishop McElroy said, “I first met Bishop-Elect Bejarano at a pastoral conference in Modesto three years ago where the late Stockton Bishop Stephen Blaire told me, ‘Ramon is one of our finest priests, with a shepherd’s heart, a fervor for missionary discipleship, and an intuitive ability to nurture and heal the souls of people. I pray that one day he will be the first Stockton priest to become a bishop. ’
“Today, that prayer has been realized, thanks to the pastoral care of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the entire Catholic community of Stockton, led by Bishop Myron Cotta, and the faith and love of Ramon’s parents and his brothers and sister.”
For his part, Bishop-Elect Bejarano said, “I am honored to be named Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego. It is with great sadness that I will be leaving the town and parishes that I have served for the past 21 years. But I am delighted to be able to serve in the Diocese of San Diego, home to a diverse and dynamic Church.”
Bishop-Elect Bejarano, 50, was born in Seagraves, Texas, on July 17, 1969, to Jose and Maria Elena Bejarano. His family returned to Mexico after his birth, and he was raised in Aldama, Chihuahua, where he lived from 1972 to 1987.
He and his family moved to Tracy when he was 18. He immediately began working in the fields of the San Joaquin Valley to help support his family. Two years later, Ramon was able to realize his long-time desire to become a priest. In 1989, he entered formation for the Diocese of Stockton. He attended and earned his Master of Philosophy at the Diocesan Seminary of Tijuana (1989-1992) and his Master of Divinity at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon (1992-1998). He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Stockton on August 15, 1998.
His assignments after ordination include: parochial vicar at St. George Church, Stockton (1998-2003), and Sacred Heart Church in Turlock (2004-2006), and founding pastor of Holy Family Parish in Modesto (2006-2008). From 2008 to 2019, he served as pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish in Modesto; he was subsequently named pastor of the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton. He is fluent in English and Spanish.
He will be consecrated on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at 2 p.m. He will become only the second Hispanic auxiliary bishop of San Diego. Auxiliary Bishop Gilberto Chavez served in that capacity for 33 years before retiring in 2007.
Bishop-Elect Bejarano served with the Migrant Ministry of the Diocese of Stockton, where he celebrated Mass for farmworkers and their families, provided sacraments and counseling. He has served as spiritual director of the area’s Spanish-language Catholic Radio, the Council of Priests, the Board of Directors of Deacons, the Preparatory Commission for the 2005 Diocesan Synod, and the College of Consultors.
The Bishop-Elect has two brothers, a sister and his mother, who live in Texas. His father passed away in 1995.
About the Diocese
The Diocese of San Diego ( www.sdcatholic.org ) covers the entire California-Mexico border and serves more than 1.3 million Catholics in San Diego and Imperial Counties. It includes 98 parishes, 49 elementary and secondary schools, Catholic Charities and other organizations that provide emergency and social services in the region.