Bishop John C. Wester Named Archbishop of Santa Fe
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – April 27, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – His Holiness, Pope Francis, has named Bishop John C. Wester the twelfth Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Bishop Wester, the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City and a native of San Francisco, California, has led Utah’s Catholics since March 2007.
Bishop Wester is in Santa Fe, where the announcement of his appointment will be made this afternoon. His installation as Archbishop will take place in Santa Fe’s Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 2 p.m. Bishop Wester remains the administrator of the Diocese of Salt Lake City until his Santa Fe installation.
Under his leadership the Diocese of Salt Lake City has grown significantly. His Episcopal motto, Abide in Christ, reflects his pastoral heart that so graciously embraces others, with special concern for the multi-cultural dimension of the Catholic Church. The bishop’s commitment to social justice, especially care for the undocumented and the poor, is noteworthy, as is his ecumenical collaboration in Utah and beyond.
He was recognized nationally as the Chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration. He presently chairs the USCCB Committee on Communication.
Once Bishop Wester is installed as Archbishop of Santa Fe, the seven Utah priests who serve as Diocesan Consultors will meet to elect a priest to administer the Diocese of Salt Lake City until the appointment of a new bishop, which is not expected for some months.
Gov. Gary R. Hebert issued the following statement: “Bishop Wester has been a tireless champion for those in need and a wise voice on a broad spectrum of policy issues. His departure is a real loss for our state. The people of Utah–Catholics and non-Catholics alike–have been blessed by his selfless service. I wish him well in his new role.”
