Introduction
Alberto Rojas (born January 5, 1965) is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. As of March 2020, he serves as the coadjutor bishop for the Diocese of San Bernardino. In June 2020, Rojas will succeed Gerald Barnes, to become the third bishop of the diocese.
Biography
Early life and education
Rojas was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico and attended elementary, secondary schools and college there. He earned his Masters of Divinity from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in 1997.
Ordination and ministry
Rojas was ordained in 1997 as a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago by Francis Cardinal George, OMI. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he served as associate pastor, St. Gregory the Great (May 24, 1997 – July 1, 1999); associate pastor, St. Ita (July 1, 1999 – June 30, 2002); pastor, Good Shepherd (July 1, 2010- and on the faculty of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary (July 1, 2002 – July 1, 2010).
Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago
On June 13, 2011, Rojas was appointed as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago and as the Titular Bishop of Marazanae by Pope Benedict XVI. He received his episcopal consecration on August 10, 2011 from Francis Cardinal George, OMI, with Bishop Józek Guzdek and Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S. as co-consecrators.
As an auxiliary bishop, Rojas also serves as Episcopal Vicar for Vicariate III.
Coadjutor bishop of San Bernardino
On December 2, 2019, Rojas was appointed as Coadjutor Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino by Pope Francis. He celebrated his Mass of Welcome on February 24, 2020.