California pastor named auxiliary for Diocese of San Bernardino

Published: 2005-07-26

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Father Rutilio J. Del Riego, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Riverside, Calif., as an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of San Bernardino, Calif. The appointment was announced in Washington July 26 by Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of San Bernardino said he was pleased with the appointment, noting that Bishop-designate Del Riego has pastoral experience in multicultural settings and "currently pastors a Catholic community of English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, Vietnamese and Tongan Catholics at Our Lady of Perpetual Help." In a statement, Bishop Barnes added that his diocese of 1.2 million Catholics "is one of the fastest growing and most culturally diverse" in the United States. Bishop-designate Del Riego's pastoral experience and "deep spirituality will make him an outstanding bishop and servant to the faithful of our diocese," said Bishop Barnes.

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