Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, who entered the United States as an undocumented immigrant hidden in a car trunk, as the new bishop of West Virginia. The appointment was announced following the resignation of Bishop Mark E Brennan of Wheeling-Charleston.
Menjivar-Ayala, 55, moved to the US in 1990 and became the first Salvadorian bishop in the country in 2023, serving as an auxiliary bishop in Washington. He has publicly urged Catholics to oppose Donald Trump's hardline immigration policies.
Born in Chalatenango, El Salvador, during the civil war, Menjivar-Ayala survived a shooting while fleeing his home. After two failed attempts to reach the US, he succeeded on his third try, enduring imprisonment in Mexico and a desert crossing. He arrived with only a backpack and a dream, later learning English, earning a GED, and working janitorial and construction jobs before answering a religious calling.
At a press conference, Menjivar-Ayala said he accepted his new role with joy and humility, emphasising partnership with Catholics, listening to young people, and supporting the poor, workers, and immigrants. Pope Leo has previously criticised the Trump administration's migrant treatment, calling it 'extremely disrespectful'.
