WHEELING, W.Va. — The new bishop designate of the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston is no stranger to the Mountain State.
Most Reverend Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, was introduced to the church in Wheeling Friday morning having been appointed to the position by Pope Leo XIV. He replaces Bishop Mark Brennan who has been the bishop since 2019.
“West Virginia is not a strange land to me. I helped many times when I was newly ordained I helped at St. Josephs in Martinsburg with the Spanish Mass, so I know that community a little bit even though that was 20 years ago,” Menjivar-Ayala at the news conference.
Those are not his only ties to West Virginia. During Covid, as he looked for places to go hiking and camping, two of his pastimes, he was led to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in West Virginia. He also purchased a cabin at Lost River in Hardy County and often spends weekends there as a retreat.
“I want to begin my ministry in the Diocese by getting to know you. The best way to do that is by listening attentively,” he added.
He promised his door would always be open to his office, if you happen to find him there. Menjivar-Ayala said he plans to be travelling a lot and visiting with parishioners all across the Mountain State.
Menjivar-Ayala is a native of El Salvador. He migrated to the United States in 1990 and in 2023 became the first Salvadoran bishop in the country. He’s had many appointments in the Catholic Church. According to his biography, “from 2017 to 2023, he served as pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Landover Hills. He speaks English, Spanish and Italian.”
“I believe that together we can make a difference here in Almost Heaven, West Virginia. I have much to learn, but my heart is read and wide open,” he said.
West Virginia District Congressman Riley Moore welcomed Menjivar-Ayala to the diocese.
“I offer my congratulations and welcome to Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala on his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. West Virginia is a beautiful place full of some of the hardest working and most God-fearing people on earth. I look forward to working with our new Bishop in our shared responsibility to care for the people of West Virginia, pbishop evelio menjivar-ayalarotecting the unborn, defending the rights of workers, and, most importantly, proclaiming the Gospel. May God pour out His abundant blessing on you as you begin this new ministry,” Moore said.
Brennan will stick around and transfer to senior status. He was appointed Bishop in 2019 by Pope Francis.