Chapter 11

Suppression Notice

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San Diego Diocese’s Statement Regarding Lawsuit

San Diego Diocese’s Statement Regarding Lawsuit SAN DIEGO (Jan. 8, 2020) – The following is the San Diego Catholic Diocese’s statement regarding a press conference held today about Father Efren (or Ephren) Cirilo Neri: Father Neri was a priest of the Archdiocese of Yucatán, Mexico, who served at Christ the King Parish in Rialto, Calif., […]

Declaración de la Diócesis Sobre Nueva Demanda

Diocese Statement on New Lawsuit SAN DIEGO (January 8, 2020) – The following is the statement from the Catholic Diocese of San Diego regarding today’s press conference regarding Father Efrén Cirilo Neri: Father Neri was a priest of the Archdiocese of Yucatan, Mexico; he served at Cristo Rey Parish in Rialto, California from 1951 to […]

Declaración de la Diócesis sobre Nuevas Demandas

Diocese Statement on New Demands SAN DIEGO (January 2, 2020) – While we cannot respond to specific information in these lawsuits, five of the six men named in today’s press conference were known sexual predators whose names have been posted on our website . All are deceased. Two belonged to Catholic orders (Koerner and Brown) […]

Diocese Issues Statement Regarding Former Priest Rodrigue

Diocese Issues Statement Regarding Former Priest Rodrigue SAN DIEGO – Former San Diego and San Bernardino priest Anthony Rodrigue was a vicious sexual predator active in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s who rightfully was sent to prison for his crimes. Our hearts and prayers and deepest apologies go out to his victims and all victims […]

The Church in the Amazon offers us powerful gifts

Bishops participating in a World or Regional Synod issue formal statements, called “Interventions.” San Diego Bishop McElroy is a participant in the Pan-Amazon Synod, held in Rome from Oct. 6 to 27. The following is the Intervention Bishop McElroy shared during the Synod’s opening week. Intervention by San Diego Bishop Robert W. McElroy Throughout these […]

Bishop McElroy’s Statement on being Appointed by Pope Francis to Participate in the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian Region

9/21/2019 Bishop McElroy’s Statement on being Appointed by Pope Francis to Participate in the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian Region (SAN DIEGO) – Recognizing the unique ministerial and ecological challenges of the Pan-Amazonian Region of South America, Pope Francis will convene a Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to […]

Declaración del Obispo McElroy al ser nombrado por el Papa Francisco Participante en la Asamblea Especial del Sínodo de los Obispos para la Región Panamazónica

9/21/2019 Statement by Bishop McElroy on being appointed by Pope Francis as a Participant in the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region (SAN DIEGO) – Recognizing the particular ministerial and ecological challenges of the Pan-Amazon Region of South America, Pope Francis will convene a Special Assembly of the Synod of […]

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 combines the Diocese of San Diego’s coat of arms on the left side, and his on the right. On his, a red boat on a blue ocean sits on 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 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, 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 communities.

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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