Chapter 11

Suppression Notice

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Cardinal McElroy’s Address to Religious Education Congress

The following is the text of the address Cardinal Robert W. McElroy delivered to the Religious Education Congress on Feb. 16, 2024, in Anaheim. Three years ago, Pope Francis initiated a renewal which seeks to build a synodal culture for the Church in every land and at every level.   This renewal is rooted in the […]

Cardinal McElroy Releases Statement on Eve of World Climate Summit

COP28 UAE text in bold white and lime green on a dark green background.

(San Diego, Nov. 29. 2023) – Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego, released the following statement on the eve of the United Nations 28th Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP28, Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 in Dubai: “While His Holiness Pope Francis will no longer be attending the World […]

El Cardenal McElroy Denuncia el Atroz Ataque Contra Israel

(CIUDAD DEL VATICANO) — El cardenal Robert W. McElroy emitió la siguiente declaración desde Roma, donde está asistiendo un gran Sínodo de la Iglesia Católica: “El atroz ataque contra Israel por parte de Hamás conmociona la conciencia de la comunidad católica de San Diego y el Valle Imperial y debe ser repudiado por todos. Nos […]

Cardinal McElroy Decries Heinous Attack by Hamas in Israel

(VATICAN CITY) — Cardinal Robert W. McElroy issued the following statement from Rome, where he is attending a meeting of the Synod on Synodality in Vatican City: “The heinous attack upon Israel by Hamas shocks the conscience of the Catholic community of San Diego and Imperial Counties must be repudiated by all. We join in […]

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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