News - Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ

Bishop Barber Invites Catholic Faithful to Join 40 Days for Life Vigil

Join with "Together in Action" under the Walking with Moms in Need nationwide initiative to end abortion. Bishop Barber invites all to join our prayer communities in Concord, Walnut Creek and El Cerrito from Sept. 25 - Nov. 3, 2024 to stand united in prayer and supportive action to create a culture of life.

Bishop's Column September 2024

From the September 2024 Issue of The Catholic Voice: "In July, I had one of the most moving spiritual experiences of my life." Read more of Bishop Barber's reflections on his experience at the National Eucharistic Congress held this past July in Indianapolis, IN.

Open letter from Catholic bishops to Olympic organizers

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has joined at least 25 other Catholic bishops from the United States and around the world in denouncing the “grotesque and blasphemous depiction of the Last Supper” during the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Paris.

Read Bishop Barber's August Column from the Catholic Voice, "Care For The Poor".

In July Bishop Barber blessed the expanded Order of Malta Clinic, which provides free medical care. You can read more about this in the August issue of The Catholic Voice. Click through this link to find pdfs that can be used in parish bulletins and digital channels to promote this important service.

An Invitation from Bishop Barber to celebrate our First Communicants

Celebrating Our First Communicants, An Invitation from Bishop Barber for a June 2, 2024 Mass and Eucharistic Procession at the Cathedral of Christ the Light.

Updated Guidelines for Confirmation with Mass

Parishes may access the updated guidelines through the link.

Dominican Friars to Assume Pastoral Care of Newman Hall-Holy Spirit Parish in Berkeley

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, and Dominican Father Christopher Fadok, prior provincial of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (Western Dominican Province) are happy to announce the Dominican Friars will assume pastoral care of Newman Hall-Holy Spirit Parish in Berkeley, effective July 1, 2024.

March 11, 2024 Clergy Assignments and Appointments

Bishop Barber shares the following pastoral assignments and appointments.

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ statement on war in Israel and Gaza

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, of the Diocese of Oakland, has issued a statement regarding the war in Israel and Gaza and its impact on the Diocese of Oakland, which is Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Read through the link for clergy assignments and appointments to the College of Consultors and 2023 Presbyteral Council.

Clergy Appointments by Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, August - September, 2023

Read through the link for recent appointments effective in August and September, 2023

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, Statement Of Support Of Father George Mockel And Father Larry Young

On August 10, 2023 Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ issued the following statement of support of Fr. George Mockel and Fr. Larry Young. Read the statement through the link.

Bishop Barber congratulates Bishop-elect Dominican father Steven Maekawa

Bishop Barber shares his message of support for the appointment of Bishop-elect Fr. Steven Maekawa, O.P., as Bishop of Fairbanks, and asks Diocese of Oakland faithful to promise him our prayers and support.

Clergy Appointments by Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, May 10, 2023

Bishop Barber has announced Clergy Appointments effective through June and September, 2023. Read through the link for details.

Death of Bishop Emeritus Patrick J. McGrath

Bishop Barber shares his profound regret on the passing of the Most Rev. Patrick J. McGrath, emeritus bishop of San Jose and Priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. More information through the link.

Prayer & Mass Information Following the Death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Diocese faithful are invited to say a prayer for the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and to attend Mass held in his memory. Bishop Barber's statement (English & Spanish) as well as prayer and Mass details through the link.

Call for Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI

Echoing Pope Francis, Bishop Michael Barber has asked Catholics of the Diocese of Oakland to pray for Pope emeritus Benedict XVI as he nears the end of his earthly life.

Rite of Candidacy for Permanent Deacons

Bishop Barber presided at the October 20, 2022 Rite of Candidacy for Permanent Deacons at St. Isidore parish. Please join us in prayer and congratulations to our men in formation.

Diocesan Eucharistic Revival Congress, 2023 - Save the Date!

Bishop Barber shares an invitation to save the date for the Diocese of Oakland's Eucharistic Revival weekends in September 2023, as part of the National Eucharistic Revival (2022-2025). Additional details will be shared soon. We pray for a fruitful, faithful and successful conference.

U.S. Bishops Release National Synthesis

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued the National Synthesis of the People of God in the United States of America. The synthesis marks the completion of the Diocesan Phase of the 2021-2023 Synod: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.