Bishop Menjivar Ayala Appointed to Wheeling-Charleston Diocese

Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Most Reverend Evelio Menjivar-Ayala as the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia. The appointment, announced on May 1, 2026, follows the Holy Father’s acceptance of the resignation of Most Reverend Mark E. Brennan from the pastoral governance of the diocese.

The announcement was publicized in Washington, D.C., by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop Menjivar-Ayala previously served as an auxiliary bishop of Washington.

Background and Migration History

Bishop Menjivar-Ayala’s appointment is noted for his personal history as a migrant from El Salvador. According to reports, the new bishop arrived in the United States as an undocumented immigrant, a background that has informed his public stance on immigration policy.

His tenure in the church has been marked by advocacy for immigrant communities. Reporting indicates that he has previously been critical of immigration crackdowns, specifically those associated with the policies of former President Donald Trump.

Transition in Wheeling-Charleston

The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston serves the Catholic population across the state of West Virginia. The transition comes as Bishop Mark E. Brennan steps down from his leadership role, clearing the way for Menjivar-Ayala to assume governance of the region.

The appointment of a bishop with a history of undocumented migration is seen by observers as a significant gesture from the Vatican, reflecting the demographic shifts and the social challenges facing the Catholic Church in the United States.

Bishop Menjivar-Ayala’s move from his role as an auxiliary bishop in the nation’s capital to the lead bishop of a West Virginia diocese marks a shift in his administrative responsibilities, moving from a supportive role in a large archdiocese to the primary authority of a state-wide diocese.