Philippine-born prelate
Oscar Azarcón Solís (born October 13, 1953) is a Filipino-American prelate of the Catholic Church who has served as Bishop of Salt Lake City since 2017. He was an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles from 2003 to 2017.
Solís is the first Filipino American Catholic bishop and the first Asian American to lead a Catholic diocese.[ 1] He speaks fluent English , Spanish , and Tagalog .
The son of Antonia Azarcón and Anselmo dela Fuente Solís, Oscar Solís was born in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija in the Philippines on October 13, 1953. He has three sisters and a brother, Ronald Solis, who is a Opus Dei priest in Hong Kong. Oscar Solis attended grade school at San Jose West Central School in San Jose and high school at Maria Assumpta Minor Seminary in Cabanatuan , Nueva Ecija .[ 2] [ 3]
After deciding to enter the priesthood, Solis studied philosophy at Christ the King Seminary in Quezon City and theology at the Pontifical Royal Seminary of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.[ 2] [ 3] He also pursued studies in Asian religions and cultures.[ 4]
Solis was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Cabanatuan in the Philippines by Bishop Vicente Posada Reyes on April 28, 1979, at the San Jose Cathedral in San Jose.[ 5] [ 6] Between 1979 and 1984, he served in his diocese as rector of the minor seminary , secretary of the priests senate, school chaplain, and director of vocations.[ 5] Solis immigrated to the United States in 1984 and served for four years as parish vicar at Saint Rocco Parish in Union City, New Jersey , in the Diocese of Newark .[ 3] [ 7] [ 8]
Solis relocated to Louisiana in 1988 to serve as associate pastor at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. He was incardinated in, or transferred to, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux on June 17, 1992. That same year, the diocese assigned Solis as pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Golden Meadow, Louisiana . After six years at Our Lady, Solis was appointed as pastor at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral and St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Thibodaux.[ 3] [ 5] [ 7]
Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles [ edit ]
On December 11, 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed Solis as titular bishop of Urci and as an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles.[ 5] He was consecrated bishop by Cardinal Roger Mahony at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on February 10, 2004, with Bishops Sam Jacobs , and Charles Jarrell serving as co-consecrators.[ 9] Solis said at the time that he was familiar with Spanish, but he was out of practice speaking it.[ 5]
In Los Angeles, Solis served as episcopal vicar for ethnic ministry from 2004 to 2009.[ 3] [ 4] He chaired and was later a member of the diocese Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs.[ 3] He was an organizer of the first National Assembly of Filipino Priests in the United States in November 2011.[ 4] He has held several positions with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops .[ 4]
Bishop of Salt Lake City [ edit ]
Pope Francis named Solis bishop of Salt Lake City on January 10, 2017, when the position had been vacant for 20 months. He was installed on March 7, 2017.[ 10]
Solis has spoken on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , the dominant faith in the diocese's territory, saying,
"We value our long-standing relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our communities share a call to social justice and love for the poor. The task before us is one of building and strengthening our inclusive communities of faith. I look forward to continuing a culture of dialogue and encounter that leads us together to God.”
Latter-day Saint Apostles M. Russell Ballard and D. Todd Christofferson spoke about Solis when he was installed as the bishop of Salt Lake City. Ballard said, “We look forward to partnering with Bishop Solis as we stand together and give witness to Jesus Christ as His disciples.” Christofferson added, “We celebrate the installation of Bishop Solis as the leader of the Diocese of Salt Lake City and the newest member of our faith community in Utah."[ 11]
In 2018, Solis released the pastoral plan for the diocese. It focused on developing a comprehensive vision for strengthening faith formation, promoting vocations to the priesthood and a universal call for holiness to the laity , seeking new ways to support the diocese financially and support the needy, increasing the reverence and devotion of the Eucharist , and upholding the dignity of all in society. Implementation of the plan began in 2018 and was to end in 2023.[ 12]
In 2023, an honoree by the Carnegie Corporation of New York 's Great Immigrant Award .[ 13]
^ Robert E. Carbonneau (2021). "Asian-American Catholics". In McGuinness, Margaret M.; Rzeznik, Thomas F. (eds.). The Cambridge Companion to American Catholicism . Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. p. 320. ISBN 978-1-108-47265-4 . Retrieved April 14, 2022 .
^ a b Nepales, Reuben V. (February 11, 2004). "Novo Ecijano First Filipino Bishop in US" . Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved January 10, 2017 .
^ a b c d e f "Rinunce e nomine, 10.01.2017" (in Italian). Holy See. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2016 .
^ a b c d Arnaquez-Delacruz, Prosy (August 3, 2011). "Most Rev. Bishop Oscar Solis: The Blessed Life of LA's first Filipino Bishop" . Asian Journal . Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2017 .
^ a b c d e "First Filipino-American bishop installed in L.A." San Diego Union Tribune . December 12, 2003. Retrieved January 10, 2017 .
^ "Bishop Oscar Azarcon Solis [Catholic-Hierarchy]" . www.catholic-hierarchy.org . Retrieved 2024-02-12 .
^ a b "Pope Names Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis as Bishop of Salt Lake City" . US Conference of Catholic Bishops . Retrieved 2024-02-12 .
^ "Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis, D.D." Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City . Retrieved 2024-02-12 .
^ Sciaudone, Christiana (February 11, 2004). "Filipino American Bishop Is the First" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 11, 2017 .
^ Cortez, Marjorie (January 10, 2017). "Filipino-born Oscar Azarcon Solis named 10th bishop of Salt Lake Diocese" . Deseret News . Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017 .
^ "LDS Apostles Welcome Utah's New Catholic Bishop: "We Stand Together and Give Witness to Jesus Christ" " . LDS Living . 8 March 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2022 .
^ Solis, Oscar. "Charting Our Mission: Pastoral Plan" (PDF) . Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City . Retrieved 10 October 2022 .
^ "Pedro Pascal and World Bank's Ajay Banga among those named to Carnegie's 2023 Great Immigrants list" . AP News . 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2024-06-17 .
Episcopal succession [ edit ]
Bishops Churches Education
Elementary and middle schools
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Sandy
J.E Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School, Salt Lake City
Kearns-Saint Ann Catholic School, South Salt Lake
Madeleine Choir Catholic School, Salt Lake City
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Salt Lake City
Saint Andrew Catholic School, Riverton
Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School, Kearns
Saint John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School, Draper
Saint John the Baptist Catholic Middle School, Draper
Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Ogden
Saint Marguerite Catholic School, Tooele
Saint Olaf Catholic School, Bountiful
Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School, Salt Lake City
High schools
Juan Diego Catholic High School, Draper
Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Salt Lake City
St. Joseph Catholic High School, Ogden
Priests Miscellany
Bishops of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Bishop of Two Californias Bishop of Monterey Bishops of Monterey–Los Angeles Bishop of Los Angeles–San Diego Archbishops of Los Angeles Auxiliary bishops, current Auxiliary bishops, former Priests who became bishops
Churches in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Archdiocese Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region
Deanery 13 (Westside)
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Pacific Palisades
St. Monica Catholic Church, Santa Monica
St. Augustine Catholic Church, Culver City
St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Brentwood
St. Timothy Catholic Church, Los Angeles
Church of the Good Shepherd, Beverly Hills
St. Ambrose Church, West Hollywood
Saint Victor Catholic Church, West Hollywood
Deanery 14 (Central LA/Hollywood)
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Hollywood
Cathedral Chapel, Los Angeles
Christ the King Catholic Church, Los Angeles
St. Basil Catholic Church, Wilshire
St. Brendan Catholic Church, Los Angeles
Deanery 15 (Downtown/South)
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles
Precious Blood Catholic Church
St. Cecilia Catholic Church
St. Patrick Catholic Church
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
St. Vincent de Paul Church
Deanery 16 (South LA/Inglewood)
St. John Chrysostom Church, Inglewood
St. Odilia Church, Los Angeles
Ascension Catholic Church, Los Angeles
Spanish mission
La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles (Note: This is not a Spanish mission, but rather, a parish church.)
San Fernando Pastoral Region
Deanery 5 (West San Fernando Valley)
Cathedral of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Sherman Oaks
Our Lady of Grace, Encino
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Northridge
Our Lady of the Valley, Canoga Park
St. Bernardine of Siena Church, Woodland Hills
St. Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church, Van Nuys
St. Catherine of Siena Church, Reseda
St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church and School, Encino
St. Euphrasia, Granada Hills
St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, Sherman Oaks
St. John Eudes Church, Chatsworth
St. John the Baptist de la Salle Church, Granada Hills
St. Joseph the Worker Church, Winnetka
St. Mel, Woodland Hills
Deanery 6 (Crescenta Valley, Glendale and Eagle Rock)
Holy Family Catholic Church, Glendale
Incarnation Catholic Church and School, Glendale
Deanery 7 (Central San Fernando Valley and Burbank)
Guardian Angel Church, Pacoima
Jesus Sacred Heart Syriac Catholic Church, North Hollywood
Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, Pacoima
Mission San Fernando Rey de España, Mission Hills
Our Lady of Peace Church, North Hills
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Sun Valley
St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Church, San Fernando
St. Anne Melkite Catholic Cathedral, North Hollywood
St. Charles Borromeo Church, North Hollywood
St. Didacus Catholic Church, Sylmar
St. Elizabeth Church and School, Van Nuys
St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, San Fernando
St. Finbar Catholic Church and School, Burbank
St. Francis Xavier Church, Burbank
St. Genevieve Catholic Church, Panorama City
St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Church, North Hollywood
St. Patrick Catholic Church, North Hollywood
St Paul Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church, North Hollywood
St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, Burbank
Santa Rosa Catholic Church, San Fernando
Deanery 8 (Santa Clarita Valley and Lancaster/Palmdale)
Blessed Junipero Serra Catholic Church, Lancaster
San Gabriel Pastoral Region
Deanery 9 (East LA, Boyle Heights, City Terrace)
All Saints Catholic Church, Los Angeles
Assumption Catholic Church, Los Angeles
Deanery 10 (Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Montebello, Alhambra)
All Souls Catholic Church, Alhambra
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Pasadena
St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Pasadena
Mission San Gabriel Parish, San Gabriel
Deanery 11 (Arcadia, Covina, Glendora, Monrovia, La Puente)
Annunciation Catholic Church, Arcadia
Deanery 12 (San Dimas, Claremont, Pomona, Diamond Bar, La Puente, Valinda, Walnut)
San Pedro Pastoral Region
Deanery 17 (Downey, Compton, Huntington Park, Lynwood)
Deanery 18 (Whittier, La Mirada, Pico Rivera, Norwalk)
Beatitudes of Our Lord Catholic Church, La Mirada
Holy Family Catholic Church, Artesia
Deanery 19 (South Bay and San Pedro)
American Martyrs Catholic Church, Manhattan Beach
SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Wilmington
Deanery 20 (Long Beach)
Santa Barbara Pastoral Region
Deanery 1 (Lompoc, Solvang, Santa Maria)
La Purisima Mission, Lompoc
Mission Santa Inés, Solvang
Deanery 2 (Santa Barbara)
Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara
Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Santa Barbara
Deanery 3 (Oxnard, Ventura, Ojai, Fillmore, Santa Paula)
Mission San Buenaventura, Ventura
Deanery 4 (Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo)
Blessed Junipero Serra Catholic Church, Camarillo
Education in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Archdiocese Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region
Universities and colleges
Loyola Marymount University
Mount St. Mary's University
High schools
Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto HS, Harvard Heights
Cathedral HS (Boys)
Immaculate Heart HS, Los Feliz (Girls)
Loyola HS, Harvard Heights (Boys)
Marymount HS, Bel Air (Girls)
Notre Dame Acad. (Girls)
St. Bernard HS, Playa del Rey
St. Mary's Acad., Inglewood (Girls)
St. Monica Preparatory, Santa Monica
Verbum Dei Jesuit HS, Watts (Boys)
High schools, closed
Daniel Murphy HS, Los Angeles
Mount Carmel HS, Los Angeles
San Fernando Pastoral Region
High schools
Bishop Alemany HS, Mission Hills
Chaminade HS, West Hills
Crespi Carmelite HS, Encino
Flintridge Sacred Heart Acad., La Cañada Flintridge
Louisville HS, Woodland Hills
Notre Dame HS, Sherman Oaks
Paraclete HS, Lancaster
Providence HS, Burbank
St. Francis HS, La Cañada Flintridge
St. Genevieve HS, Panorama City
High schools, closed
Bellarmine-Jefferson HS, Burbank
Our Lady of Corvallis HS, Studio City
Holy Family HS, Glendale
St. John Paul II STEM Acad., Burbank
Villa Cabrini Acad., Burbank
San Gabriel Pastoral Region
High schools
Ramona Convent Sec., Alhambra
St. Lucy's Priory HS, Glendora
Bishop Amat Memorial HS, La Puente
Damien HS, La Verne
Salesian HS, Los Angeles
Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary HS, Montebello
La Salle College Prep., Pasadena
Mayfield Senior, Pasadena
St. Monica Acad., Montrose
Pomona Catholic HS, Pomona
San Gabriel Mission HS, San Gabriel
Alverno Heights Acad., Sierra Madre (formerly Alverno HS)
San Pedro Pastoral Region
High schools
St. John Bosco HS, Bellflower
St. Pius X-St. Matthias Acad., Downey
Junipero Serra HS, Gardena
St. Joseph High School, Lakewood
St. Anthony HS, Long Beach
Don Bosco HS, Rosemead
Mary Star of the Sea HS, San Pedro
St. Paul HS, Santa Fe Springs
Bishop Montgomery HS, Torrance
Universities and colleges, closed
Marymount College, Palos Verdes
High schools, closed
Queen of Angels Acad., Compton
Santa Barbara Pastoral Region
Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region
San Fernando Pastoral Region
San Gabriel Pastoral Region
San Pedro Pastoral Region
Santa Barbara Pastoral Region