At age 73, Bishop Brom has two years before he reaches the normal retirement age for bishops.
Rodrigo Valdivia, chancellor of the diocese, told CNA that Bishop Brom had requested an auxiliary bishop after Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, the diocese’s previous auxiliary, was appointed as bishop of Oakland in 2009.
In a Jan. 4 statement, Bishop Flores said that he was surprised by the appointment but welcomed the “wonderful and challenging assignment” before him.
Born on June 20, 1948 in Corona, Ca., Bishop Flores graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University, as well as a doctorate from Stanford University Law School. He practiced law for ten years before entering St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, Ca., where he earned a masters of divinity.
After being ordained a priest for the Diocese of Orange on June 8, 1991, Bishop Flores served as pastor and parochial vicar of several parishes. He also held a position on the diocesan finance council and the editorial board of the diocesan newspaper.
He was appointed by Pope Benedict as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Orange on Jan. 5, 2009 and was ordained at St. Columban Church in Garden Grove, Ca. on March, 19, 2009.