Salt Lake City bishop named as new Santa Fe archbishop


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SALT LAKE CITY — Our loss, their gain.

That’s the sentiment church, state and local leaders are expressing after hearing that Pope Francis has named the leader of the Diocese of Salt Lake City the new archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Bishop John C. Wester, 64, the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, will become the 12th Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He will replace retiring Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan.

Bishop Wester has led Utah’s Catholics since March 2007.

“While the Catholic people of Utah are honored to have their bishop selected as archbishop of Santa Fe, they will be sad to see him leave and greatly appreciate his ministry over the past eight years,” church spokeswoman Susan Dennin stated in a news release. “Under his leadership, the Diocese of Salt Lake City has grown significantly.”

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe comprises roughly the same population of Catholics as Utah's Diocese, which is about 350,000, Dennin said.

Bishop Wester spoke at a news conference in Albuquerque Monday following the morning announcement of his appointment. During his speech, he recalled Archbishop Sheehan’s words during the celebration of the Cuarto Centennial:

“The archbishop reminded us that we are comforted by ‘knowing that a loving God, who has guided us safely this far, is not about to abandon us as we face the future,’” Bishop Wester said to the Santa Fe faithful. “That is certainly my prayer now as I prepare to take up this new ministry in your midst.”

His installation as archbishop will take place in Santa Fe’s Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi on Thursday, June 4, according to a press release.

LDS Church spokesperson Kristen Howey congratulated Bishop Wester in a prepared statement Monday.

“We have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with him, and many church Leaders consider him a trusted confidante and dear friend,” Howey said. “Bishop Wester has been a strong advocate in Utah on many critical issues that impact our communities and families. He has been a powerful role model and partner in helping the poor and lifting those in need. His appointment in New Mexico will bless the lives of the people he serves there, and we will greatly miss him here in Salt Lake City.”

Service in the Catholic Church

Bishop Wester remains the administrator of the Diocese of Salt Lake City until his Santa Fe installation. Church officials said the seven Utah priests who serve as Diocesan Consultors will meet to elect a priest to administer the diocese until the appointment of a new bishop, which is not expected for some months.


(Bishop Wester) has been a powerful role model and partner in helping the poor and lifting those in need. His appointment in New Mexico will bless the lives of the people he serves there, and we will greatly miss him here in Salt Lake City.

–Kristen Howey, LDS Church spokeswoman


Ordained a priest in 1976, Bishop Wester previously served in various capacities in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, most recently as apostolic administrator between 2005 and 2006. He was also recognized nationally as the Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration. He currently chairs the USCCB Committee on Communication.

Bishop Wester was born in 1950. At the age of 13, he enrolled at a high school seminary with the intention of becoming a priest. Last year marked his 50th anniversary of entering the ministry.

Noteworthy of Bishop Wester’s service is his commitment to social justice and immigration reform, as well as his ecumenical collaboration with Utah’s predominant Mormon faith and other religious groups.

“Bishop Wester has been a tireless champion for those in need and a wise voice on a broad spectrum of policy issues,” Gov. Gary Herbert said in a prepared statement. “His departure is a real loss for our state. The people of Utah — Catholics and non-Catholics alike — have been blessed by his selfless service. I wish him well in his new role.”

Honors from Utah leaders

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. called Bishop Wester “really a terrific person,” whom he “so enjoyed working with.”

“Bishop Wester brought a strong sense of the true love of Christ in all he did,” Huntsman said. “He has been an articulate and indispensable voice of hope for our state’s most vulnerable, and central to building bridges that leave us all more confident about our future.”

Bishop John C. Wester signs a document known as the Utah Compact during a press conference where community leaders gathered in support of immigration reform at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. (Photo: Brian Nicholson, Deseret News archives)
Bishop John C. Wester signs a document known as the Utah Compact during a press conference where community leaders gathered in support of immigration reform at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. (Photo: Brian Nicholson, Deseret News archives)

The Rev. Elias Koucos, chairman of the Salt Lake City Interfaith Roundtable, said Bishop Wester and his commitment to connect religious groups has been a “vital part” of the Interfaith Council.

The Very Rev. Ray Waldon, dean and rector of the Cathedral Church of St. Mark, said Bishop Wester has forged “wonderful relationships” with Utah's various faith groups.

“I think too often we look at our differences, but he looks at what we have in common,” The Very Rev. Waldon said. “I think as a partner in our ecumenical endeavors, you could not ask for a better person.”

Equality Utah Executive Director Troy Williams said while he did not agree with Bishop Wester on marriage beliefs, they did find common ground in protections against discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace and housing.

“Our hope for the future is that the relationship with the Catholic and LGBT communities will continue to grow and improve,” Williams said. “I didn’t know him personally, but I know that there are many gay, lesbian and transgender Catholics throughout the nation, and so having a bishop willing to come forward and publicly endorse pro-LGBT legislation has a powerful impact on Catholic families with LGBT children.”

Tony Yapias, director of advocacy group Proyecto Latino De Utah, said Bishop Wester was especially influential in forming the Utah Compact, a declaration of principles to guide Utah’s immigration discussion. He said he was one of the first leaders to sign the compact, which was a “divine instrument” to help calm the local, state and even national turbulence of immigration debate.


All I can say is Santa Fe is extremely fortunate, and certainly our loss here is their gain.

–Pamela Atkinson, advocate for homeless


“We lived through the worst,” Yapias said. “We survived that storm, and Bishop Wester was with us every step of the way. We’re very fortunate to have had him during those very important years in the immigration battle.”

Longtime homeless advocate Pamela Atkinson said Bishop Wester’s devotion to caring for society’s underserved is contagious.

“We are all children of God, and Bishop Wester believes in treating everybody equally, regardless of status,” Atkinson said. “ All I can say is Santa Fe is extremely fortunate, and certainly our loss here is their gain.”

"He is going to leave an extremely large footprint in this community," The Very Rev. Waldon said. "Whoever follows Bishop Wester here has got big shoes to fill."

Contributing: Sam Penrod


Katie McKellar is a Dixie State University graduate with a bachelor of science in mass communication. Before interning at Deseret News, she reported and edited news content for Dixie Sun News, first as Photo Editor, then as Features Editor. Email: kmckellar@deseretnews.com

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