San Diego’s Bishop McElroy Named Among New Cardinals Appointed by the Vatican

San Diego Bishop Robert Walter McElroy has been chosen by Pope Francis as one of 21 new Cardinals for the Catholic Church, the Vatican announced on Sunday. 

The 21 new cardinals will be appointed on Aug. 27 when the College of Cardinals convenes at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. McElroy was the only bishop selected from North America. 

This will be the first time that The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego will be overseen by a cardinal. 

The diocese, which serves more than 1.3 million Catholics in San Diego and Imperial counties, includes 98 parishes and 49 elementary and secondary schools, as well as various social service and family support organizations. 

In a statement, McElroy acknowledged he was “stunned and deeply surprised” by the announcement.

“My prayer is that in this ministry I might be of additional service to the God who has graced me on so many levels in my life,” said McElroy, 68. “And I pray also that I can assist the Holy Father in his pastoral renewal of the Church.”

McElroy was born in San Francisco in 1954. He was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1980. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of San Francisco by Pope Benedict XVI on July 6, 2010 and was ordained by Archbishop George Niederauer at Saint Mary’s Cathedral on September 7, 2010.

McElroy was installed as the sixth bishop of San Diego on April 15, 2015. 

On September 15, 2015, McElroy presided over USD's Mass of the Holy Spirit. 

“I’m pleased to be here at the university and The Immaculata because it’s such a jewel in the life of the local church,” McElroy said during the Mass.

McElroy has been to USD several other times since being appointed bishop in San Diego, where he has hosted talks and listening sessions, as well as presided over important masses.   

Among the other 20 cardinals to be appointed later this summer, eight are from Europe, six from Asia, four from South America and two from Africa. 

The College of Cardinals currently consists of 208 Cardinals, of whom 117 are electors and 91 non-electors. Cardinals represent the Church globally, and reflect a wide variety of cultures, contexts and pastoral ministries, according to the Vatican.

“On Saturday, 27 August, I will hold a Consistory for the creation of new Cardinals,” said Pope Francis during the Regina Coeli on Sunday. “Let us pray that they will help me in my mission as Bishop of Rome for the good of all God's people.”

— USD News Center