Pope appoints Philippine bishop as Auxiliary of Los Angeles

Vatican City, Dec 10, 2003 / 22:00 pm

Pope John Paul II appointed Fr. Oscar Azarcon Solis, pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral Parish in Thibodaux (Louisiana,) as auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, California.

Fr. Oscar Azarcon Solis was born on October 13 1953 in San Jose City, (the Philippines.) He studied at the minor seminary “Maria Assumpta” in Cabanatuan at San Jose City, and he completed his studies in philosophy at the “Christ the King Seminary of the Society of the Divine Word” and his theology at the University of Saint Thomas in Manila.

He was ordained a priest on April 28,1979, for the diocese of Cabanatuan (the Philippines.) Since then he has been Chaplain for the Movement “Christian Family” (1979-1980), as well as Chaplain at Araullo University (1980-1984) and for the Knights of Columbus (1982-1984).  He was Secretary of the Association of Directors of Catholics Schools (1981-1984); Director of Studies at the Seminary (1980-1981); Director of the Diocese’s Department of Vocations (1982-1984) and Rector of the Minor Seminaries (1981-1984).

In 1984, Fr. Azarcon was transferred to the United States and until 1988 he was vicar at Saint Rocco’s Parish  in Newark (New Jersey).

With the authorization of his ordinary in Cabanatuan, he was transferred to the diocese of Houma-Thibodaux (Louisiana) on June 17, 1992. He was Vicar of Saint Joseph Co-Cathedral Parish in Thibodaux (1988-1993); Pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor at Golden Meadow (1993-1999); and Pastor of  Saint Joseph Co-Cathedral Parish from 1999 until now.

The Bishop-elect speaks Tagalog (the Philippine native language,) English, Spanish and Creole.