Chapter 11

Archives

We Joyously Welcome New Pope

Aerial view of a large white building with a terracotta roof, surrounded by palm trees and landscaped gardens. It is situated in a suburban area with houses and hills in the background.

The Administrator of the Diocese of San Diego, Bishop Michael Pham, issued the following statement today after Cardinal Robert F. Prevost was elected the new pope of the Catholic Church: It is with great joy we greet the news that the world has a new Pope! Pope Leo XIV, an American from Chicago and an […]

Statement from the Diocese on the Death of Pope Francis

Aerial view of a large white building with a terracotta roof, surrounded by palm trees and landscaped gardens. It is situated in a suburban area with houses and hills in the background.

The Administrator of the Diocese of San Diego, Bishop Michael Pham, released the following statement on the passing of Pope Francis: “Pope Francis died today at 7:35 in the morning Rome time on Easter Monday.  The Holy Father cared deeply for all of us, but especially for people living at the margins of our society.  […]

Declaración de la Diócesis sobre la Muerte del Papa Francisco

Aerial view of a large white building with a terracotta roof, surrounded by palm trees and landscaped gardens. It is situated in a suburban area with houses and hills in the background.

El Administrador de la Diócesis Católica de San Diego, el Obispo Michael Pham, emitió esta declaración tras el fallecimiento del Papa Franciso hoy: “El Papa Francisco falleció hoy a las 7:35 de la mañana, hora de Roma, el Lunes de Pascua. El Santo Padre nos quería profundamente, especialmente las personas que viven al margen de […]

Farewell News Conference

Cardinal Robert W. McElroy held his final news conference before leaving the Diocese of San Diego on Feb. 27, 2025.

Pope Names Cardinal McElroy to lead Archdiocese of Washington

Aerial view of a large white building with a terracotta roof, surrounded by palm trees and landscaped gardens. It is situated in a suburban area with houses and hills in the background.

(Washington, D.C.) – At noon today Rome time (3 a.m. Pacific), the Vatican Press Office announced that Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, Bishop of San Diego, has been appointed the new Archbishop of Washington, DC, replacing Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, who is retiring. Cardinal McElroy will be installed as Archbishop in March.  At that time, a […]

El Papa Nombra al Cardenal McElroy para Encabezar la Arquidiócesis de Washington

Aerial view of a large white building with a terracotta roof, surrounded by palm trees and landscaped gardens. It is situated in a suburban area with houses and hills in the background.

(Washington, D.C.) – Hoy, al mediodía, hora de Roma (3 a.m., hora del Pacífico), la Oficina de Prensa del Vaticano anunció que el cardenal Robert W. McElroy, obispo de San Diego, ha sido designado nuevo arzobispo de Washington, D.C., en reemplazo del cardenal Wilton D. Gregory, quien se retira. El cardenal McElroy tomará posesión de […]

El Cardenal McElroy Ofrece Oraciones por el Presidente Electo Trump, el Vicepresidente Electo Vance y todos los funcionarios recién elegidos

Aerial view of a large white building with a terracotta roof, surrounded by palm trees and landscaped gardens. It is situated in a suburban area with houses and hills in the background.

(SAN DIEGO, 6 noviembre 2024) — El cardenal Robert W. McElroy, obispo de San Diego, emitió hoy un comunicado ofreciendo sus oraciones por el presidente electo Trump, el vicepresidente electo Vance y todos los funcionarios recién elegidos tras las elecciones del martes: “Quiero ofrecer mis oraciones por el presidente electo Trump, el vicepresidente electo Vance […]

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About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pulido’s coat of arms is divided into four quarters with wavy horizontal lines from top to bottom. The blue and white lines represent the Blessed Virgin Mary. They also suggest water, which alludes to Jesus washing the feet of His disciples and to the waters of baptism. The red and gold lines represent the Holy Spirit and fire. The colors also can be seen as referring to the Blood that (along with water) poured from Jesus’ side at His crucifixion, as well as to the bread (gold) and wine (red) transformed into the Eucharist. At the center is a roundel featuring a symbolic representation of the “mandatum” (washing of the feet), which he believes exemplifies service to all humanity. The roundel’s outer edge is a line composed of small humps; it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Diocese of Yakima, where Bishop Pulido served as a priest before being named a bishop.

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pham’s coat of arms depicts a red boat on a blue ocean, which is crisscrossed by diagonal lines suggesting a fisherman’s net. This symbolizes his ministry as a “fisher of men,” as well as how his own father had been a fisherman. The boat is also a symbol of the Church, which is often referred to as the “barque of Peter.” At the center of the sail is a red beehive (a symbol of the bishop’s baptismal patron saint, St. John Chrysostom, who was known as a “honey-tongued” preacher). The beehive is surrounded by two green palm branches (an ancient symbol of martyrdom; the bishop’s ancestors were among Vietnam’s first martyrs). The eight red tongues of fire around the boat are a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a representation of the diversity of ethnic and cultural communities. The red of the boat, the beehive and the tongues of fire allude to the blood of the martyrs.

About the Coat of Arms

The coat of arms combines symbols that reflect Bishop Bejarano’s spiritual life and priestly ministry. The main part of the shield shows four wavy vertical lines on a gold background. These represent flowing waters. This alludes to his chosen motto and also symbolizes the graces that come from the Divine life to quench our thirst for God. The upper third of the shield is red because it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Order of Mercy, of which the Bishop’s patron saint, Raymond Nonnatus, was a member. The central symbol resembles a monstrance because St. Raymond is often depicted holding one. The Eucharist is Bishop Bejarano’s inspiration for his vocation. 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. The monstrance is flanked on either side by an image of the Sacred Heart, alluding to the mercy of God and echoing the idea of a sacrificial offering of oneself united to the sacrifice of Christ, and of a rose for Our Lady. It is an allusion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and highlights the bishop’s Hispanic heritage.

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