Pope names Menjivar-Ayala, immigrant from El Salvador, to lead Catholic Church in WV

By: Lori Kersey

Outlets: West Virginia Watch

Published: May 1, 2026

Words: 393

Last Updated: 2 months, 4 weeks ago

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Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, a formerly undocumented immigrant from El Salvador who went on to be the United States’ first Salvadorian bishop, will be the next bishop of the Catholic Church in West Virginia.

The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston made the announcement Friday in Wheeling, West Virginia. Menjivar-Ayala will succeed Rev. Mark Brennan as the diocese’s 10th bishop.

Menjivar-Ayala said he received the news of his appointment with “great joy and humility.”

“Deep in my heart, …

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