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	Most Rev. Jaime Soto Appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Sacramento Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange November 3, 2007 http://www.rcbo.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=377&Itemid=100000001 Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Bishop Jaime Soto, currently Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange, as Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, announced the appointment at 6 AM this morning in Washington, DC. "I am grateful and delighted by the appointment of Bishop Soto as he joins me to serve the People of God in the Diocese of Sacramento," said Bishop William Weigand. "It pleases me to know that I now will have his assistance to help me shepherd this vast 20-county diocese and, in due course, to succeed me. I ask for the prayers of all the faithful, clergy and religious as we prepare to warmly receive Bishop Jaime Soto." As coadjutor, Bishop Soto will share pastoral and administrative responsibilities with Bishop Weigand, the current head of the Diocese of Sacramento. Bishop Soto will automatically become head of the diocese upon Bishop Weigand's retirement. Bishop Weigand, 70, continues as the Diocesan Bishop until age 75, unless he chooses to retire earlier. He has no plans to retire at this time. Bishop Jaime Soto is a native of California, born December 31, 1955, in Inglewood. Pope John Paul II appointed him to serve as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange on May 31, 2000. In a statement issued today, Bishop Soto remarked, "The days and weeks ahead will be a time for acquainting myself with the laity, religious and clergy of the Diocese. I hope to hear their stories and discover how God's wisdom and grace is revealed in the histories of the many families, parishes, and communities that make up this vast Diocese." To commemorate Bishop's Soto's appointment as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento, a welcome Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on Monday, November 19, at 2:00 p.m. Since January, when former Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia was installed Bishop of the Monterey Diocese, Bishop Weigand has continued to bear the responsibilities of ministering, traveling and serving 103 parishes in the 42,000 square miles of the Diocese. The Diocese of Sacramento serves more than 550,000 Catholics in 20 counties covering 42,000 square miles of Northern California from the San Francisco Bay to the Oregon border. More information about the Diocese of Sacramento can be found on the web at www.diocese-sacramento.org.
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