A New Bishop For the San Fernando Region
When Cardinal Roger M. Mahony ordains Gerald Wilkerson as a Roman Catholic bishop Wednesday, the longtime parish priest will become an auxiliary bishop of the Los Angeles archdiocese charged with responsibilities for the San Fernando Pastoral Region. The cardinal makes final decisions affecting nearly 4 million Catholics in the three-county archdiocese (Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties), but each one of his five regional bishops has considerable administrative, pastoral and spiritual responsibilities. Here is basic information about the new bishop, the ordination and the region.
Bishop
Bishop-elect Gerald Eugene Wilkerson, 58, grew up in Long Beach and was ordained a priest in 1965. Her served parishes in Orange County, central Los Angeles and Manhattan Beach before coming to Our Lady of Grace Church in Encino in 1982. Three years later, he was named senior pastor of the 2,400-family parish. When Bishop Armando X. Ochoa, the first auxiliary bishop for the San Fernando Region, was appointed to head the El Paso, Texas, Diocese in 1996, Wilkerson was named episcopal vicar for the region until a new bishop was selected. The Vatican named Wilkerson bishop-elect last November.
Ordination Rites
No tickets are left for the 10 a.m. ceremony on Jan. 21 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5011 White Oak Ave., Encino. More than 20 bishops, mostly from California dioceses and about 325 priests are expected to attend.
Coat of Arms
Symbols reflecting his ministry and personality within a basically prescribed coat of arms. For his motto, Wilkerson chose, “Walk in Integrity of Heart” (1 Timothy 6:11). The wooden shepherd’s staff on the shield symbolizes both his new office and the years he spent as a parish priest. The angel wings on the shield represent the archdiocese and the “City of Angels” while the wavy lines symbolize both Christian baptism and the ocean waters off his native Long Beach.
San Fernando Pastoral Region
Population: About 765,000 Catholics.
Area: All of Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and San Fernando Valley, La Canada, Glendale, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park and Highland Park.
Headquarters: Near the San Fernando Mission, the office shares space with Alemany High School at 15101 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Mission Hills. (818) 361-6009
Institutions: 50 parishes, 12 high schools, 2 hospitals, 3 retreat houses, 2 cemeteries.
Clergy: About 70 diocesan priests and 25 priests in religious orders.
Researched by JOHN DART / Los Angeles Times