Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 19, 2022 / 11:45 am
Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Juan Esposito-Garcia and Father Evelio Menjivar-Ayala as auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Washington, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, announced today.
As auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Washington, Esposito and Menjivar will assist Cardinal Wilton Gregory in the episcopal duties of the archdiocese while holding the full rank of bishops themselves.
At a press conference, Gregory said the appointment of Esposito and Menjivar, who are priests of the Archdiocese of Washington, was in response to his request for help.
“To provide for the increasing pastoral needs, the challenges and the opportunities, of our parishes, schools, and communities, I petitioned the Holy Father for two auxiliary bishops. This morning, Pope Francis granted my request by appointing Bishops-elect Juan Esposito-Garcia and Evelio Menjivar-Ayala,” Gregory, 75, said.