Why It Matters
The Vatican has elevated a Salvadoran-born auxiliary bishop who entered the United States illegally in 1990 to lead the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia. The appointment comes amid ongoing tensions between Pope Leo XIV and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement policy.
Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, 55, becomes one of the first bishops born in Central America to lead a U.S. diocese. His personal immigration history and public criticism of federal immigration enforcement place him at the center of a national debate over border security and the treatment of illegal immigrants.
What Happened
Pope Leo XIV approved the resignation of Bishop Mark E. Brennan and named Menjivar-Ayala as his successor, according to OSV News. The new bishop accepted the appointment at a Friday morning news conference, saying he took on the role with great joy and humility.
Menjivar-Ayala arrived in the U.S. in 1990 after two failed attempts, including one that resulted in deportation and another where his guide abandoned the migrant group. On his third attempt, he crossed into the country hidden in the trunk of a car, following a brief imprisonment in Mexico and a desert crossing.
Born in Chalatenango, El Salvador, on August 14, 1970, Menjivar-Ayala fled violence during the Salvadoran civil war. He and his family narrowly survived being fired upon by soldiers while fleeing their home, he told the Catholic Standard.
By the Numbers
Menjivar-Ayala is 55 years old and has been in the United States for 35 years. In 2023, he became the first Salvadoran bishop appointed in the country, serving as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Washington. The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston covers the entire state of West Virginia.
The appointment follows public statements from Pope Leo criticizing current U.S. immigration policies as treating foreigners in an extremely disrespectful way.
From Immigrant to Priest
After settling in the U.S., Menjivar-Ayala worked janitorial and construction jobs while learning English and earning a GED. He answered a religious calling at a parish in Silver Spring, Maryland, and began studies for the priesthood.
At the news conference, he told Catholics that young people are not only the future of the church but the present of the church. He said he wanted to listen to the poor, workers, and immigrants, and thanked Pope Leo for his appointment.
Zoom Out
The appointment highlights ongoing friction between the Vatican and the Trump administration over immigration policy. Pope Leo has questioned how the U.S. receives foreigners, urging deep reflection on current treatment of migrants.
Last month, President Trump responded on Truth Social, calling Pope Leo weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy. The exchange reflects broader tensions between religious institutions advocating for immigrants and federal enforcement priorities under the current administration.
What’s Next
Menjivar-Ayala will assume leadership of the Wheeling-Charleston diocese, overseeing Catholic parishes and institutions across West Virginia. His appointment may intensify debates over the role of religious leaders in advocating for illegal immigrants amid federal enforcement efforts.
The new bishop’s personal story and public advocacy position him as a prominent voice in national immigration discussions, particularly within Catholic communities navigating tensions between church teachings on welcoming strangers and federal law enforcement.