Note: Part 1 of 2. Read Part 2 here.

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The appointment of Evelio Menjivar-Ayala by Pope Leo XIV as the tenth bishop of West Virginia (the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston) brings a “Vatican II Bishop” to the state, asserts Fr. Walt Jagela, the pastor of All-Saints parish here.

Fr. Walt, as Jagela prefers to be called, shares, “My first reaction is one of joy, one of thankfulness. I know that our bishop had sent in his letter of resignation and we’ve been praying and meeting. I don’t know Bishop Evelio personally but I know other bishops that do. They said it’s a new day for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. That’s what I thought. It’s a new beginning.”

Fr. Walt, who has been pastor at All Saints for seven years and has served in the diocese for 32 years, says it’s not only good news for the dozens of parishes and 100,000 Catholics in West Virginia, he asserts it will improve understanding about the Catholic Church among non-Catholic West Virginians. Bishop
Menjivar-Ayala will begin his duties on July 2. Menjivar-Ayala replaces Bishop Mark Brennan, who has served as the West Virginia bishop since 2019.

A “Vatican II Bishop”

According to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston website, “Bishop Evelio Menjivar was born August 14, 1970, in Chalatenango, El Salvador. He migrated to the United States in 1990 and in 2023 became Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington, notably the first Salvadoran bishop in the country.” He was ordained in 2004.

Fr. Walt points out that Bishop Menjivar-Ayala, while appointed by Pope Leo, is “very much a Pope Francis bishop. He’s a Vatican II bishop.”

Vatican II (also known as the Second Vatican Council) was convened in 1962 by Pope John XXIII to modernize the church. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “The Second Vatican Council is considered one of the most impactful moments in the history of the Church.” Yet, it remains a point of controversy within the Church. Pope Francis, however, was a determined proponent of Vatican II.

Fr. Walt explains, “Pope Francis wanted a listening church. A church that got its hands dirty, got out in the streets and walked the sidewalks. A church that is welcoming to all people, open to others. Pope Leo has that same vein of thought. Vatican II was a forward-thinking council for the church. Pope Leo says we need to go back and reread those documents about liturgy, scriptures, Catholic life, how our Catholic Christian life affects the world. To the best of our ability to live it. My hope is that’s what we’ll see from the new leadership.”

Fr. Walt believes that among the new bishop’s priorities will be “His response to the poor and vulnerable because of his background. All of that gives him a different perspective. He’s able to bring us a different perspective. He spoke about listening. He said, ‘I’m here to serve you. To listen. I’m your brother.’ That is why he is a Pope Francis bishop. He brings hope and healing. He will walk with the people.”

Bishop Menjivar-Ayala recently penned an op-ed in the National Catholic Reporter in support of immigrants. That means, says Fr. Walt, “He’ll be aware of the more marginalized. Of our immigrant brothers and sisters, documented or undocumented.”(In Part 2 tomorrow, we focus more extensively on the importance of Bishop Menjivar-Ayala’s status as an immigrant).

Ultimately, Bishop Menjivar-Ayala’s presence in West Virginia will help the church as it experiences growing interest in Catholicism, says Fr. Walt. “We definitely see an uptick of people being interested in Catholicism.” He says that 100 new families have joined the parish since the pandemic. “People are coming. They want to be fed. The are coming back because they are being fed. That’s part of evangelism. The people are doing it. That’s why a new bishop is exciting.”

What also gives hope to Fr. Walt is that the diocese is still recovering from numerous scandals under previous Bishop Michael Mansfield. Bransfied, who was bishop from 2004 until his resignation in 2018, was formally disciplined by Pope Francis for financial crimes and sexual harassment.

Asked if the scandals within the diocese under Bransfield contributed to the reactions of hope, Fr. Walt replies, “With any new appointment of a new bishop or pastor or priest, it’s a new beginning. New hope and new grace that is given us.” He adds, “He’s young. He’s 56. That’s something exciting and new. The other thing is that he is an El Salvadoran. Like Pope Leo, as our new shepherd, Bishop Evelio has instilled excitement in me and the people of the Church. Bishop Evelio gives us hopefulness with his new perspective.”

Indeed, Fr. Walt shares, “While many in our parish had heard of the announcement, many had not. When I announced it in Mass, they applauded.” All Saints has more than 800 families in it and has a generational reputation, enhanced under Fr. Walt, for evangelism and championing social justice causes.

A fitting partnership

Fr. Walt says he expects Bishop Menjivar-Ayala and All Saints parish to establish a strong working relationship. Indeed, says Fr Walt, the people of West Virginia – Catholics and non-Catholics – will receive Menjivar-Ayala warmly. “I would certainly see because of who he is and his approach to love and service, the people of West Virginia certainly will welcome him.”

Fr. Walt continues, “I believe he will love All Saints. We’re growing. We’re more muli-cultural. We have more ethnic backgrounds. We are Christ-centered, service-centered. It’s who we are. All are welcome. Yea, no matter who you are or what flavor of life you’re living, our people welcome you. For me, it’s a pleasure to pastor a parish that is this multi-cultural and growing. The bishop can enhance our ministry and we’ll enhance his as well.”

Having a new bishop provides challenges and opportunities says Fr. Walt. “There is a lot of opportunity within the diocese to grow us in different ways. To unite us, which will be a challenge. It’s a diverse diocese.” He adds, however, “Despite some challenges, with any new leadership that is appointed to us, let us trust the process. Trust what the Holy Spirit has given us and cooperate with it. We must focus on evangelism, go out. Be who we are and be it well and we will attract people.”

He concludes, “Time will tell how the Holy Spirit will unfold the gifts the new bishop has, as well our parishes and diocese. I certainly welcome Bishop Evelia to the diocese and state. I am hopeful. It’s a beginning, new grace.”

© Michael M. Barrick, 2026.