Chancellor of the Diocese of Oakland

OAKLAND -- Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has named Rick Medeiros, a seasoned executive leader in medical diagnostics, as chancellor for the Diocese of Oakland, effective Jan. 1, 2022.

“Rick brings a passion for the faith and a commitment to organizational effectiveness to our diocesan services,” Bishop Barber said. “Given Rick's long service as a leader in volunteer ministry for our diocese, I am grateful for his willingness to step up and serve in this new capacity for our local Church.”

Medeiros was one of the founders of Catholics at Work, a network of Catholic laity begun almost 20 years ago in the diocese, and is a longtime member of the Order of Malta, a service organization which operates a free health clinic in the diocese.  He is also the head of the CYO basketball program for the diocese, organizing games and referees for hundreds of youngsters.

“It is my desire to use my professional and personal skills to advance the mission given to the Church in Oakland to preach the Good News and to serve those who are entrusted to its care,” Medeiros said. He is currently a co-chair of the diocesan Mission Alignment Process.

In his new role Medeiros will oversee the offices of Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), Communications, Faith Formation and Evangelization, and Mission Advancement, as well as the Diocesan Review Board and Archives. He will also serve as the bishop's liaison for Catholic schools and Catholic Charities of the East Bay and will lead special projects as directed by Bishop Barber.
 
Medeiros most recently served as Commercial Business Manager West Region -Life Sciences for Qiagen, a German provider of sample and assay technologies for molecular diagnostics, applied testing, academic and pharmaceutical research. He had been employed at Qiagen since 2010.

He holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in history from Santa Clara University and is a graduate of St. Patrick Catholic High School in Vallejo. He and his wife of 35 years, Nancy, are members of St. Isidore Parish in Danville. Their three children – Michael, Therese and Matthew (deceased) – graduated from Catholic elementary and high schools of the Oakland Diocese.

The Diocese of Oakland serves two counties in the East Bay region, Alameda and Contra Costa, with 82 parishes, 10 pastoral centers, 41 elementary schools and nine high schools.  

###
Download Release in English
Download Release in Spanish