News Summary
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Michael Pham as the new bishop of the Diocese of San Diego, marking his first bishop appointment in the U.S. since becoming pope. Pham, who has been serving as an auxiliary bishop, takes over from Cardinal Robert McElroy. With a background as a refugee from Vietnam, Pham is committed to inclusivity and addressing the needs of the diverse Catholic community of approximately 1.3 million in the diocese.
San Diego, California – Pope Leo XIV has made a historic appointment by naming Bishop Michael Pham as the new bishop of the Diocese of San Diego. This decision marks Pope Leo XIV’s first bishop appointment in the United States since becoming the first American pope in history. The announcement was made on Thursday, filling the position previously held by Cardinal Robert McElroy, who was appointed as the archbishop of Washington D.C. earlier this year.
The 58-year-old Michael Pham, who has been serving as an auxiliary bishop in the diocese, steps into this prominent role with extensive experience within the San Diego Catholic community. He has been a leader in the diocese’s programming for its diverse ethnic groups and has been regarded for his deep understanding of the local church’s needs.
Bishop Pham was born in Da Nang, Vietnam, and as a refugee, he fled his home country in 1980. After his arrival in the United States in 1981, he was sponsored by an American family, leading to a relocation to Blue Earth, Minnesota, where he ultimately reunited with his family. In 1985, Pham settled in San Diego, where he has since become an integral part of the local religious community.
Michael Pham pursued his theological education beginning with his seminary studies at Saint Francis Seminary at the University of San Diego. He was ordained as a priest in 1999 and took on various significant roles in the diocese, including serving as the vocations director from 2001 to 2004, parish priest at Holy Family and St. Therese churches, and vicar for ethnic and intercultural communities since 2017.
Before his recent bishops’ election, Pham had been serving as the main diocesan administrator since March, following McElroy’s installation. His leadership capabilities have been recognized through his participation in the diocese’s executive board, presbyteral council, and finance council. He is also acknowledged as a member of the college of consultors and boards for priests and seminarians.
The Diocese of San Diego serves approximately 1.3 million Catholics, which accounts for a significant segment of the diocese’s total population of around 3.5 million residents, according to the U.S. Catholic bishops conference. This large and diverse community will now be under the guidance of Bishop Pham, who is committed to promoting inclusivity and pastoral care tailored to the needs of various cultural groups.
Bishop Pham’s academic background is impressive; he holds a bachelor’s degree in systematic theology, a master’s degree in divinity, and most recently, in 2020, he earned a licentiate degree in sacred theology from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. Additionally, he possesses a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from San Diego State University and completed a master’s degree in psychology in 2009 from the University of Phoenix.
The recent appointment of Bishop Pham also coincides with another significant announcement from Pope Leo XIV, who appointed Sister Tiziana Merletti as the second-in-command of the Vatican’s congregation for religious orders. This decision supports ongoing efforts to enhance female representation in leadership roles within the church. Earlier this year, Sister Simona Brambilla made history as the first woman to head a major Holy See office, a move initiated by Pope Francis.
With the appointment of Bishop Michael Pham as the new bishop of San Diego, the diocese looks forward to a new chapter of leadership under a bishop who possesses both personal and pastoral experience, commitment to serving a diverse congregation, and a deep-rooted connection to the community.
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Bishop Michael Pham Appointed Bishop of San Diego
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SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
