Alberto Rojas, the former auxiliary bishop of the Chicago Archdiocese and native of Aguascalientes, Mexico, became the third bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino Dec. 28.
Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Gerald Barnes that day, a move that triggered the installation of Bishop Rojas, according to a Diocesan press release.
Bishop Rojas had been serving in the capacity of âcoadjutorâ (assistant and successor) to Bishop Barnes since February.
The transfer of leadership occurred exactly 25 years to the day that Bishop Barnes was appointed as the second bishop of the diocese, according to the statement.Â
âIn Godâs name and forever grateful, I begin my ministry in the diocese as Ordinary Bishop,â the new bishop said. âWhile continuing to listen and learn more about our large and diverse Diocese, I would like to build on the momentum that is clearly present here.â
Coadjutor Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino, Calif., is seen in this 2017 file photo. He succeeds Bishop Gerald R. Barnes who submitted his resignation to Pope Francis Dec. 28, 2020. Bishop Barnes is 75, the age at which canon law requires bishops to submit their resignation to the pope. (CNS photo/Sam Lucero, The Compass) Dec. 30, 2020 Catholic News Service WASHINGTON – Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of San Bernardino, California, and Coadjutor Bishop Alberto Rojas immediately succeeds him. Bishop Barnes has headed the diocese since 1996. In June, he turned 75, the age at which canon law requires bishops to turn their resignation into the pope.