Pope Leo picks formerly undocumented immigrant to lead West Virginia Catholics
He also elevated to bishop Howard University’s chaplain, who has called attacks on diversity 'un-American' and 'un-Christian.'
Pope Leo on Friday named a formerly undocumented immigrant who was smuggled into the United States in a car trunk to be bishop of West Virginia; he also elevated to bishop Howard University’s chaplain, who has called attacks on diversity “un-American” and “un-Christian.”
Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, 55, migrated to the U.S. in 1990 and in 2023 became the first Salvadoran bishop in the country, serving as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington. Believed to be one of the first U.S. bishops born in Central America, he has publicly called for Catholics to speak out against President Donald Trump’s treatment of immigrants.
The Rev. Robert Boxie III, 46, has spoken as Howard’s chaplain about racial progress and the Voting Rights Act — which the Supreme Court significantly weakened with a decision on Wednesday. Quoted in a piece by the Catholic news agency OSV, Boxie — whom Leo named as auxiliary bishop of Washington — specifically expressed concern about the Trump administration’s attack on efforts to boost diversity, equity, and inclusion, suggestion that the nation’s journey toward racial progress is “regressing.”
“It’s really frustrating — especially this moment that we’re living in, the attacks on ‘DEI’ — I don’t even know what that means anymore. It’s a term that’s been hijacked. It means a lot of things to a lot of different people,” he told OSV.
The appointments underscore and continue Leo’s efforts to elevate U.S. clergy who are vocal on areas where the church conflicts with Trump administration policies. Since becoming pope last May, Leo and some of his highest-ranking allies in the U.S. have become more direct in challenging the White House on topics including immigration crackdowns and the Iran war.
When he was named auxiliary bishop by Pope Francis, Menjivar described his three failed attempts to flee violence and civil war and reach the U.S. as a teen, eventually making it to Los Angeles to reunite with his sister. He worked in janitorial, construction, and other work before migrating to Maryland and eventually realizing he was called to the priesthood.
“Evelio, you became a manual laborer as you adapted to your new home in the United States of America. Like countless others before you, you earned your upkeep with demanding work,” Cardinal Wilton Gregory said at Menjivar’s 2023 ordination. “You know very well the countless gifts that our immigrant brothers and sisters continue to bring to our nation as hard workers.”
Also named an auxiliary bishop for Washington on Friday was the Rev. Gary R. Studniewski. He served in the U.S. Army through the 1980s before becoming a priest in 1995. He was a military chaplain and is currently a pastor at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament.