The Right Rev Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, the newly appointed bishop of West Virginia, has pledged to continue speaking out for immigrants, following in the footsteps of Pope Leo, who appointed him amid ongoing tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration.
A Personal Journey from El Salvador
Menjivar-Ayala, 55, fled El Salvador's civil war as a teenager and entered the United States smuggled in the trunk of a car. He is the first Latino American bishop from El Salvador. In an interview, he stated, "I will keep talking about people's reality, defending immigrants, and fighting for fair treatment for them."
Nearly 40 years after his perilous journey, he still identifies with migrants. Every time he hears about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, he tells himself, "That immigrant could be me."
Standing with Pope Leo
Menjivar-Ayala made headlines last April for criticizing the Trump administration's mass deportation policies. His appointment as bishop is seen as a sign of support from Pope Leo, who has also been vocal in defending immigrants. The pope is currently embroiled in a dispute with the White House over the US-Israel War on Iran.
President Trump warned that the pope was "endangering a lot of Catholics" with his anti-war comments, while Vice President JD Vance advised the pope to "stick to matters of morality." Menjivar-Ayala, however, has not distanced himself from the pope's remarks, emphasizing that the church's stance is moral, not partisan.
Rooted in Scripture
Menjivar-Ayala bases his advocacy on the church's social doctrine, citing Matthew 25: "Whatever you did for one of these least ones, you did for me." He insists, "I won't stop talking about what matters to people today because I am committed to everyone."
A Journey of Perseverance
Menjivar-Ayala's path to the priesthood was arduous. He made three attempts to reach the US, facing deportation, imprisonment in Mexico, and a dangerous journey in a smuggler's car trunk. He worked various jobs in California, learned English, and obtained a GED. After moving to Maryland, he worked for a Catholic parish, eventually becoming a priest in 2004 and a US citizen in 2006.
In 2022, Pope Francis named him auxiliary bishop of Washington. Now, he is heading to West Virginia, a state with a low immigrant population but high poverty rates. He plans to focus on young people, helping them build futures in the state.
Addressing Challenges
Menjivar-Ayala acknowledges the challenges ahead, including rebuilding trust after a predecessor's misconduct scandal. He praises his predecessor, Bishop Mark Brennan, for restoring credibility and vows to continue that mission with integrity.
He encourages people to take action, especially on behalf of those who cannot. "Participation in political and social life is important for change to happen," he said, urging solidarity and voting.
