{{Short description|American-born Catholic bishop}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = | honorific-prefix = His Excellency, The Most Reverend | name = Ramon Bejarano | honorific-suffix = | title = Bishop of Monterey in California | image = | image_size = | caption = | diocese = Monterey in California | appointed = December 17, 2025 | enthroned = February 19, 2026 | retired = | predecessor = Daniel E. Garcia | successor = | other_post = | previous_post = {{bulleted list | Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego and Titular Bishop of Carpi (2020-2026) }} <!---------- Orders ---------->| ordination = August 15, 1998 | ordained_by = Donald Montrose | consecration = July 14, 2020 | consecrated_by = Robert W. McElroy, Gustavo García-Siller, and Myron J. Cotta <!---------- Personal details ---------->| birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|07|17}} | birth_place = Laredo, Texas, US | death_date = | death_place = | buried = | nationality = | alma_mater = | coat_of_arms = 140px | motto = My soul is thirsting for you | education = Diocesan Seminary of Tijuana<br>Mount Angel Abbey }}
{{Infobox bishopstyles | name= Ramon Bejarano | dipstyle= *His Excellency *The Most Reverend | offstyle=Your Excellency | relstyle=Bishop | image = Coat of arms of Ramon Bejarano (Monterey).svg | image_size = 200px }}
'''Ramon Bejarano''' (born July 17, 1969) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and bishop of the Diocese of Monterey since 2025. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Stockton in 1998 and later served as an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of San Diego from 2020 to 2026.
==Biography==
=== Early life === Ramon Bejarano was born in Seagraves, Texas on July 17, 1969 to José Bejarano and María Elena Silva.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-02 |title=Padre Ramón Bejarano es nombrado obispo auxiliar de San Diego, CA |url=https://zetatijuana.com/2020/03/padre-ramon-bejarano-es-nombrado-obispo-auxiliar-de-san-diego-ca/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=Semanario ZETA |language=es}}</ref> Early in life, Bejarano's family moved to Juan Aldama, Chihuahua in Mexico. At the age of 7, Bejarano encountered his vocation to the priesthood through the Eucharist.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-12-17 |title=Pope Leo names Bishop Ramón Bejarano to lead Diocese of Monterey - OSV News |url=https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-names-bishop-ramon-bejarano-to-lead-diocese-of-monterey/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1987, when he was 18, the family relocated to Tracy, California. Bejarano worked in Tracy sorting tomatoes and as a hotel janitor.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Auxiliary Bishop Bejarano – The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego|url=https://www.sdcatholic.org/bishops/auxiliary-bishop-bejarano/|access-date=2022-01-10|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Stone|first=Chris|date=2020-07-15|title=Ramón Bejarano Ordained as 2nd Hispanic Bishop in San Diego Diocese History|url=https://timesofsandiego.com/life/2020/07/14/ramon-bejarano-ordained-as-2nd-hispanic-bishop-in-san-diego-diocese-history/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=Times of San Diego|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Holland |first=John |date=March 1, 2020 |title=A Catholic priest who has long served the Modesto area will become a bishop down south |url=https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article240707516.html |access-date=December 18, 2025 |work=The Modesto Bee}}</ref>
At age 20, Bejarano applied to become a seminarian with the Diocese of Stockton. Bejarano first entered the Diocesan Seminary of Tijuana in Tijuana, Mexico, earning a Master of Philosophy degree in 1992. He completed his seminary studies in 1998 with a Master of Divinity degree from Mount Angel Abbey in Saint Benedict, Oregon.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-27 |title=El Papa Francisco Nombra a un Nuevo Obispo Auxiliar en San Diego, California – Arquidiócesis de Tijuana |url=https://iglesiatijuana.org/web/el-papa-francisco-nombra-a-un-nuevo-obispo-auxiliar-en-san-diego-california/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |language=es}}</ref>
=== Priesthood === On August 15, 1998, Bejarano was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton by Bishop Donald Montrose for the Diocese of Stockton.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Pope Francis Names New Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego |url=https://www.usccb.org/news/2020/pope-francis-names-new-auxiliary-bishop-san-diego |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=US Conference of Catholic Bishops |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Bishop Ramón Bejarano [Catholic-Hierarchy] |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbejarano.html |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}}</ref>
After his 1998 ordination, the diocese assigned Bejarano as parochial vicar at St. George Parish in Stockton, He was transferred in 2004 to serve the same role at Sacred Heart Parish in Turlock, California. When the diocese founded Holy Family Parish in Modesto in 2005, Bejarano was named its founding pastor.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />
In 2009, Bejarano was appointed pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish in Modesto, where he served for the next 11 years. In 2019, Bejarano was transferred to the Cathedral of the Annunciation Parish in Stockton.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
During his tenure in Stockton, Bejarano served as chaplain to the Migrant Ministry, celebrating mass for families and workers in migrant camps, providing the sacraments and counseling. He served as the spiritual director for the Spanish Catholic Radio in the area.<ref name=":4" /> He was a member of the presbyteral council, the diaconate board, the preparatory commission for the Diocesan Synod of 2005, and the college of consultors.<ref name=":0" />
===Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego=== left|thumb|160px|Coat of Arms as Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego Pope Francis appointed Bejarano as auxiliary bishop of San Diego and titular bishop of Carpi on February 27, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofsandiego.com/life/2020/02/27/rev-ramon-bejarano-to-join-san-diego-catholic-diocese-as-auxiliary-bishop/ |title=Rev. Ramon Bejarano to Join San Diego Catholic Diocese as Auxiliary Bishop |accessdate= February 27, 2020 }}</ref><ref name=":1" />
His episcopal consecration, initially scheduled for April 21, 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was consecrated at the Immaculata Church in San Diego on July 14, 2020, by Bishop Robert W. McElroy in a liturgy celebrated in English, Spanish, and Latin. Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller and Bishop Myron J. Cotta served as co-consecrators.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ordination of Bishop Ramon Bejarano 07-14-20 2 pm|url=https://venue.streamspot.com/video/e689a956aa|access-date=2020-07-16|website=venue.streamspot.com|language=en|archive-date=2020-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716025548/https://venue.streamspot.com/video/e689a956aa|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> He is the second Hispanic ever appointed as a bishop in San Diego, following Bishop Gilbert Chavez.<ref name=":3" />
Bejarano is regarded as pro-life, having attended the marches for life in both Los Angeles and San Diego while an auxiliary bishop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bustos |first=Aida |date=2022-01-17 |title=Bishop at SD Walk for Life: 'This is a moment of great hope' |url=https://www.thesoutherncross.org/news/bishop-at-sd-walk-for-life-this-is-a-moment-of-great-hope/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=The Southern Cross |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Albright |first=Adonis |date=2024-01-13 |title=San Diego churches hold 12th annual Walk For Life demonstration |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-churches-hold-12th-annual-walk-for-life-demonstration/3403866/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=NBC 7 San Diego |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-25 |title=Pro-lifers rally in the name of love at OneLife LA 2023 |url=https://angelusnews.com/local/california/onelife-la-2023/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |language=en-US}}</ref> He also served as the keynote speaker for an October 2024 pro-life ministry's 30th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grasska |first=Denis |date=2024-10-30 |title=Ministry marks 30 years of helping women |url=https://www.thesoutherncross.org/news/ministry-marks-30-years-of-helping-women/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=The Southern Cross |language=en-US}}</ref>
In both 2024 and 2025, Bejarano celebrated the Diocese of San Diego's annual "All Are Welcome" mass for LGBTQ Catholics, immigrants, and other minority groups.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-08-27 |title=Diocese celebrates ‘All Are Welcome’ Mass |url=https://www.thesoutherncross.org/news/diocese-celebrates-all-are-welcome-mass/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=The Southern Cross |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=de la Vega |first=Norma |date=2025-07-29 |title=Mass offers warm embrace, open heart |url=https://www.thesoutherncross.org/news/mass-offers-warm-embrace-open-heart/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=The Southern Cross |language=en-US}}</ref> During the 2024 mass, Bejarano quoted Pope Francis and apologized for the "stigmatization and trauma" caused by the Catholic Church.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shine |first=Robert |date=2024-09-09 |title=In San Diego, Bishop Apologizes to LGBTQ+ Community During Pride Mass |url=https://www.newwaysministry.org/2024/09/09/in-san-diego-bishop-apologizes-to-lgbtq-community-during-pride-mass/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=New Ways Ministry |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bishop who apologized to LGBTQ community to lead California diocese {{!}} News Headlines |url=https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=67855 |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=www.catholicculture.org}}</ref> Bejarano celebrated these masses after attending a workshop organized by New Ways Ministries.<ref name=":5" /> Mayor Todd Gloria called Bejarano's preaching in 2025 an "empowering message."<ref name=":6" />
On February 9, 2025, Bejarano helped lead a prayer vigil for immigrants after a days-long protest against Donald Trump. The Union-Tribune quoted him as saying: "I pray in your name, gracious and loving God, that any evil and spirit of hatred be destroyed here and in every federal building."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Popescu |first=Roxan |last2=Nelson |first2=Blake |date=2025-02-10 |title=‘It’s terrifying, the direction we’re heading in’: San Diegans protest against Musk, Trump |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/02/09/its-terrifying-the-direction-were-heading-in-san-diegans-protest-against-musk-trump/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250210084157/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/02/09/its-terrifying-the-direction-were-heading-in-san-diegans-protest-against-musk-trump/ |archive-date=2025-02-10 |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> Bejarano also participated in a June 2025 protest at the Edward J. Schwartz Courthouse along with over a dozen other clergy. The building serves as a local ICE field office and DOJ immigration court.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Christian |first=Gina |date=2025-06-23 |title=San Diego bishops and clergy showed up in immigration court — and made an impact - OSV News |url=https://www.osvnews.com/san-diego-bishops-and-clergy-showed-up-in-immigration-court-and-made-an-impact/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |language=en-US}}</ref>
While an auxiliary in San Diego, Bejarano served as the vicar for ethnic and intercultural ministries; for life, peace, and justice; and for ecumenical and interreligious affairs.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-12-17 |title=Pope Leo names Bishop Ramón Bejarano to lead Diocese of Monterey |url=https://catholicreview.org/pope-leo-names-bishop-ramon-bejarano-to-lead-diocese-of-monterey/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=Catholic Review |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Bishop of Monterey===
On December 17, 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed him as bishop of Diocese of Monterey in California.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/12/17/251217c.html |title=Resignations and Appointments, 17.12.2025 |accessdate=December 17, 2025}}</ref> Bejarano succeeds Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, who had been moved to the Diocese of Austin.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Ramón Bejarano to lead Monterey Diocese |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/268531/pope-leo-xiv-appoints-bishop-ramon-bejarano-to-lead-monterey-diocese |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref> This appointment ends Bishop Slawomir Szkredka's term as apostolic administrator of Monterey.<ref name=":7" /> In an interview about his appointment, Bejarano emphasized his desire to minister to immigrants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quinones |first=Jacquelyn |date=2025-12-18 |title=Diocese of Monterey welcomes new bishop Ramon Bejarano |url=https://www.ksbw.com/article/diocese-monterey-welcomes-bishop-ramon-bejarano/69803626 |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=KSBW |language=en}}</ref> He was installed on February 19, 2026.
==See also== {{div col}} * Catholic Church hierarchy * Catholic Church in the United States * Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States * List of Catholic bishops of the United States * Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops {{div col end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.dioceseofmonterey.org/ Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey Official Site] *[https://www.sdcatholic.org/ Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego Official Site]
{{portal bar|Biography|Catholicism|California}} {{Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey in California|state=collapsed}} {{Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego|state=collapsed}} {{Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton|state=collapsed}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bejarano, Raman}} Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:People from Laredo, Texas Category:21st-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States Category:American people of Mexican descent Category:Bishops appointed by Pope Francis Category:21st-century American Roman Catholic titular bishops