POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsPBS NewsHourMay 1, 2026United States

Pope Appoints Immigrant Advocate as New Bishop for West Virginia

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, an El Salvador-born immigrant advocate who has criticized Donald Trump's immigration policies, as the new bishop for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia. Menjivar-Ayala, who fled civil war and crossed the U.S. border illegally as a teen before becoming a citizen, aims to prioritize marginalized communities and listen to the poor in his new role. He replaces Bishop Mark Brennan, who served since 2019.

religionimmigrationappointmentscatholic church
Read the full story at PBS NewsHour

Why It Matters

This appointment brings a bishop with a strong background in immigrant advocacy to a state with a predominantly white population, potentially influencing how the Catholic Church addresses issues of diversity and immigration in the region.

Key Facts

  • Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, an immigrant advocate, has been appointed the new bishop for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia.
  • Menjivar-Ayala, who fled El Salvador's civil war and later became a U.S. citizen, has opposed former President Trump's immigration policies.
  • He replaces Bishop Mark Brennan, who served since 2019 and noted that the new bishop will serve all people in the diocese.
  • The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston covers West Virginia, a state with a predominantly white population and a smaller Latino community compared to the Washington archdiocese where Menjivar-Ayala previously served.
  • Menjivar-Ayala's installation ceremony is scheduled for July 2.

Who's Mentioned

locationEl SalvadorotherMatthew 25locationSan DiegolocationMinneapolislocationWheeling-CharlestonlocationDistrict of ColumbiapersonMark Brennandate1990locationTylerother92.6%dateJuly 2personEvelio Menjivar-Ayalaother1.77 millionorganizationCatholic Standarddate2025other79locationUnited Statesdate2002personBishop Gregory KellylocationWest VirginiapersonMichael Phamdollar_amount61,000locationLaredodateMay 2025personCardinal Robert McElroyother2.4%personDonald Trumpdate2021locationMarylandother92locationColombiaorganizationU.S. Censusother55dateJune 30organizationCatholic ChurchpersonJohn GomezpersonPope Leo XIVdatelast yeardatelate 1980s