The Diocese of Monterey welcomes Bishop Danny Garcia

Newly appointed Bishop to the Monterey Catholic Diocese is close to calling Monterey his home.

The final step is his installation mass scheduled for this afternoon at the Madonna Del Sasso Church.

Bishop Daniel Garcia was appointed to his role by Pope Francis and says he wants to follow the same path as 4th Bishop Richard Garcia, who passed away in 2018.

Bishop Daniel Garcia says the last time he was in this area of Monterey Peninsula was more than 20 years ago.

He adds the scenery is certainly different compared to Austin, Texas where he’s been the last four and a half years.

“Any time you leave a place of transition and go to a new place, there’s going to be that aspect of closing a door and letting go,” says Bishop Daniel Garcia. “This also opens a new door where I can see what God has in store for me.”

It’s a door that opens for Bishop Garcia as accusations of sexual abuse among clergy members across the Catholic Diocese in the U.S. is becoming more well known and exposed by leaders in the diocese.

It’s a transparency Bishop Daniel Garcia says is much needed to restore confidence in the church.

He says the church’s first goal should be to take care of the survivor of sexual assault.

“One of the first things we do at mass is acknowledge our wrongs or things we’ve done and ask God’s intercession and mercy,” says Bishop Garcia. “We need to do that with the public and be honest.”

He says he’s confident he will be able to “shepherd the people” and provide that confidence back into the church.

Bishop Garcia says the shift for him from the Diocese of Austin to the Diocese of Monterey will provide comfort with time. He’s also aware of the need for time as the community mourns the loss of Bishop Richard Garcia.

The installation mass for Bishop Daniel Garcia is Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at Madonna Del Sasso Church in Salinas.

Tonight at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. on KION News Channel 5/46, Drew Andre will have details from the instillation ceromony and reaction from parishioners in attendence.

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