News - Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ

United in Prayer with our Immigrant Community/Unidos en oración con nuestra comunidad inmigrante

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ: We Catholics believe the Church is the Body of Christ. As St. Paul teaches us, “ If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it (1 Cor. 12:26)."

Bishop Barber in solidarity with Abp. Gomez regarding immigration raids

"Along with my brother bishops, we stand in solidarity with Archbishop Gomez and our sisters and brothers who are sadly impacted by the current situation. Let us recognize we are all God's children, called to be compassionate toward one another." - Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ

California Bishops Declare July 26 as Jubilee of Marriage During the Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Year

by California Catholic Conference

The Bishops of California have declared Saturday, July 26, 2025, the Jubilee of Marriage, to be celebrated as part of the Church’s broader Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Year. This special day honors married couples as “pilgrims of hope” and encourages those who aspire to the sacrament of marriage. They are a profound sign of hope for both the Church and the world.

Bishop Barber's statement on the election of Pope Leo XIV

"I welcome the newly elected successor to St. Peter. Pope Leo XIV. While many are surprised the cardinals chose an American, with his experience in both South and North America as a member of a worldwide religious order, this new pope will have a world vision. I am really encouraged by the new Holy Father’s emphasis on bridge-building, which we need in the Church right now. Our prayers and loyalty are with him!" Most Rev. Michael C. Barber, S.J. Bishop of Oakland

Read the entire statement through the link.

Opening of the Holy Year of Hope 2025 in the Diocese of Oakland, an invitation from Bishop Barber

Bishop Barber will open the Holy Year of Hope 2025 with a special Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the Light on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 11 a.m. Read Bishop Barber's invitation through the link.

Letter to Migrant Families from the California Bishops

Click through the link to read the Letter to Migrant Families from the California Bishops. Please also visit the linked resource page which has the letter in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean, as well as additional resources.

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.