Pope Francis appoints Filipino priest as auxiliary bishop of Sacramento, California

Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Reynaldo Bersabal as auxiliary bishop of Sacramento, according to an announcement made by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, on April 20, 2024. Bishop-elect Bersabal, a priest of the Diocese of Sacramento, currently serves as pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi parish in Sacramento, California.

Born on October 15, 1964, in the Philippines, Father Bersabal was ordained to the priesthood on April 29, 1991. His extensive ministry includes various roles both in the Philippines and within the Diocese of Sacramento.

Bishop-elect Bersabal has served in several capacities, including parish vicar and administrator in the Philippines, before being incardinated into the Diocese of Sacramento in 2004. Within the diocese, he has held positions such as pastor and dean, demonstrating a commitment to his pastoral duties and the community.

Bishop-elect Bersabal is fluent in English, Spanish, and Tagalog, reflecting his multicultural background and the diverse community he serves. The Diocese of Sacramento, covering 46,597 square miles in California, has a significant Catholic population of 1,056,698 out of a total population of 3,786,209.