Clergy Assignments: Father Lawrence D’Anjou appointed Vicar General for Diocese of Oakland

OAKLAND – Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has appointed Father Lawrence C. D’Anjou, a lifelong resident of the diocese, as Vicar General, effective Jan. 1, 2021. He succeeds Father George Mockel, who is retiring from the position to continue in his ministry as pastor of Santa Maria Parish in Orinda.

The vicar general shares in the bishop's authority to teach, govern, and sanctify his diocese.

“We have been blessed by Father Mockel’s deep fidelity to our Diocese,” Bishop Barber said when announcing the appointment. “The longest-serving Vicar General in California, Father Mockel was appointed to the office July 1, 2005 by then Bishop Allen Vigneron. He has faithfully served three bishops and two apostolic administrators. We will deeply miss his steadfast leadership, wisdom, and selfless dedication. I am grateful he will continue to serve as pastor at Santa Maria.”
Father D’Anjou is one of seven children born and raised in the Bay Area by Harry and Jean D’Anjou. Born in Oakland in 1957, he attended St. Cyril Catholic elementary school (now the St. Andrew Kim Korean Pastoral Center). He attended public high school in San Lorenzo and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Cal State Hayward (now Cal State East Bay).

After working in the business world for several years Father D’Anjou discerned a calling to the priesthood and entered St. Patrick’s Seminary in 1994. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Oakland in 2000. He has served as director of vocations, parochial vicar at St. Leonard-Santa Paula Parish in Fremont (now Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish), and pastor of St. Raymond Parish in Dublin. Along with his new role as vicar general he will continue as pastor of St. Bonaventure Parish in Concord.
“I look forward to working with Father D’Anjou, a man of deep faith and commitment to Jesus Christ, in serving the diverse parish communities that make up the Diocese of Oakland,” Bishop Barber said. "Please join me in praying for him and for our Diocese as we begin the New Year.”