Bishop Michael M. Pham waves as he processes out of St. Therese of Carmel Catholic Church in San Diego, Calif., following his installation as seventh bishop of the Diocese of San Diego July 17, 2025. (OSV News photo/David Maung, The Southern Cross)

San Diego New Bishop Calls Faithful To Bring 'Spirit of Love to the World' Like Jesus 

SAN DIEGO (OSV News) — The Force may not have been with Bishop Michael M. Pham on July 17.

But the Holy Spirit certainly was.

“You may be used to seeing a tall bishop and cardinal … but now, you can envision before you a shorter bishop, like Yoda in ‘Star Wars,’ getting ready to lead,” Bishop Pham said in the homily for his installation Mass, humorously referencing his own short stature.

“Whether we are tall or short … we are all called to be bearers of hope and beacons of Good News to peace, justice and love for all,” he said.

St. Thérèse of Carmel Church was filled to capacity by an estimated 1,200 faithful, as Bishop Pham was solemnly installed as the seventh bishop of San Diego by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles. He became the first Vietnamese-American to lead a diocese in the United States.

California Bishops Declare July 26 as Jubilee of Marriage During the Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Year 

In a joyful affirmation that the marriage of a man and woman is a pilgrimage of hope, the Bishops of California have declared Saturday, July 26, 2025, the Jubilee of Marriage, to be celebrated as part of the Church’s broader Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Year. This special day honors married couples as “pilgrims of hope” and encourages those who aspire to the sacrament of marriage. They are a profound sign of hope for both the Church and the world.

Each California diocese will commemorate the Jubilee of Marriage, encouraging opportunities for families to strengthen their marriages, deepen their faith, and celebrate the blessings of married life. More information about diocesan celebrations and how to participate is available at cacatholic.org/marriage.

“The vocation of marriage is not only a personal covenant between a man and a woman, but a public witness to love, faith, and perseverance,” said California Catholic Conference President, Bishop Oscar Cantú. “We invite all couples and families to participate in this day of joy, reflection, and service.”  Continue Reading

A Radiate Love Marriage Summit for Ministry Leaders!  

After a year celebrating marriage and family through the Radiate Love Initiative, the California bishops are hosting Love IRL: A Radiate Love Marriage Summit for Ministry Leaders. This culminating event will equip 200 participants working with young people and families to share the beauty of marriage!

Love IRL is a collaboration of the CA bishops from all 12 dioceses across California.

• Experience dynamic keynotes on the vocation of marriage
• Learn from engaging workshops featuring educators, pastors, and young leaders
• Discover the power of witness from impactful stories and testimonials
• Equip your parish and school to transform young lives
• Transform the Church with a culture of strong marriages and healthy families
• California bishops will be leading, moderating, and joining key sessions
• Visit exhibitors and find tools to strengthen your marriage ministry

Diocesan Directors learn, lobby, and network and CCC's annual summit 

Wildfires, raids, and robots with AI…

These are just some of the challenges facing diocesan leaders today as they try to serve the faithful. While fixing those problems may require forward thinking solutions, they also need to be solutions rooted in a timeless resource of the Church – Catholic Social Teaching.

That was the prevailing theme for the 2025 Summer Leadership Summit

hosted by the California Catholic Conference (CCC) June 3-5.

Every year, the legislative arm of the California bishops works to inform and uplift diocesan directors wanting to grow in their ministry.

For new participants, the summit was an eye-opening experience.

“We are responsible for educating ourselves and our community on the bigger picture, on the bigger issues the Church could have a say in,” said Karen Flores, Coordinator of the Diocese of Oakland’s Office of Marriage and Family Life. “I learned we’re not just alone in this, in our own dioceses, we have this extended peer support network…We can try, we got this!”

Flores was one of some 40 diocesan leaders who attended the summit held at the Hilton Embassy Suites Riverfront Promenade in Sacramento. The event specifically targeted directors of “outward serving” ministries like Social Action and Restorative Justice in order to help them navigate – through the lens of faith – pressing social issues and public policy critical to the state’s 12 million Catholics.

LA Catholics help build and bless 8 new Habitat for Humanity Homes 

Jan Caffey never expected to own a home, let alone one with three bedrooms, a garden, and a front door where her children could hang a Christmas wreath. For years, the single mother of three juggled multiple jobs at a time just to afford a one-bedroom apartment for her family.

“Owning a home has been our American dream,” Caffey said. “I remember when my kids would act up, I’d say, ‘Not in my house.’ And they’d respond, ‘But Mama, this isn’t a house — it’s an apartment.’ ”

On July 12, that changed. Caffey stood with her son, Lawrence, on Holmes Avenue in South Los Angeles, clutching the keys to her family’s new home — one of eight newly completed residences built by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and blessed that morning by Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Matthew Elshoff.

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