News - Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ

The California Catholic Conference of Bishops profoundly welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobb’s v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which has affirmed our dearly held belief that life is precious, valuable, and should be protected, and that states have a compelling interest to protect the unborn and limit abortion. This has been our prayer, the Church’s prayer, for the last 50 years. Full statement through the link.

Read and share Bishop Michael C. Barber's Statement both celebrating and offering a Call to Action regarding the Supreme Court decision in the Dobbs vs. Jackson ruling. Read through the link.

In “The Pain of Racism: Can Grace Ensue”, Bishop Barber shares his apology to all those who have experienced ad suffered from racism from Catholics in the Diocese of Oakland. He also shares a discussion with Fr. Leo Edgerly, Jr. on Fr. Augustus Tolton and thoughts on the established Racial Justice Task Force established in 2020.

Mire el seminario web del 18 de mayo de 2022: Roe y Dobbs, la Corte Suprema y lo que sigue para California en materia de aborto. El seminario web incluye comentarios y reflexiones del obispo de Oakland, Michael Barber, la directora ejecutiva de CCC, Kathleen Domingo, y la directora de Respeto a la Vida de CCC, Molly Sheahan. Ver a través del enlace.

Watch the May 18, 2022 Webinar: Roe and Dobbs, the Supreme Court, and What’s Next for California on Abortion. The webinar includes remarks and reflections from Oakland Bishop Michael Barber, CCC Executive Director Kathleen Domingo, and CCC Respect Life Director Molly Sheahan. View through the link.

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ has made the following clergy appointments.

On May 20, 2022 Bishop Barber issued a statement in support of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone's statement concerning U.S. House of Representative Nancy Pelosi. He states that Representative Pelosi is not “to be admitted” to Communion unless and until she publicly repudiates “support for abortion ‘rights'”. Read the complete statement and Bishop Barber's statement of support through the link.

La filtración del borrador del dictamen de la Corte Suprema en el caso Dobbs provocó que el gobernador y los líderes legislativos de California anunciaran su intención de crear una enmienda constitucional en California para proteger el derecho al aborto. Esto destruirá vidas, familias y limitará significativamente la capacidad de la Iglesia Católica en California para proteger a los no nacidos. Este es el momento para que la Iglesia y sus 12 millones de católicos intervengan en sus comunidades, se opongan activa y públicamente a esta enmienda y cumplan con nuestra responsabilidad bautismal de proteger la vida en cada etapa y en cada oportunidad.

The leak of the draft Supreme Court ruling in the Dobbs case triggered the governor and California legislative leadership to announce its intent to create a California constitutional amendment to protect the right to abortion. This will destroy lives, families, and significantly limit the ability of the Catholic Church in California to protect the unborn. This is the moment for the Church and its 12 million Catholics to engage with their communities, actively and publicly oppose this amendment, and fulfill our baptismal responsibility to protect life at every stage, and at every opportunity.

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has appointed Father Jimmy Macalinao as parochial administrator of St. Perpetua Parish in Lafayette, effective July 1. More details through the link.

Bishop Barber has been invited to join Faith leaders in our community, to worship and participate in the annual, Oakland - city wide, Good Friday Service, along with other elected officials, ecumenical groups, and Acts Full Gospel Church.  More information through the link.

El Obispo Michael C. Barber SJ se une al Papa Francisco y a todos los obispos del mundo, pidiendo a los párrocos y católicos que recen un Acto especial de Consagración este viernes 25 de marzo, durante la conmemoración de la Solemnidad de la Anunciación de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, en una hora conveniente dentro del horario parroquial. Detalles a través de este enlace.

Bishop Barber is joining with Pope Francis and all bishops of the world, asking pastors and Catholics to pray a special Act of Consecration this Friday March 25, Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, at time convenient for the parish schedule. Details through the link. Bishop Barber to pray the Consecration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at 10:30am PDT.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Administrative Committee has released a statement calling for the immediate cessation of Russia’s armed aggression and unprovoked war on Ukraine. Full statement through the link.

Capuchin Franciscans will assume pastoral care of St. Jarlath Parish in Oakland, effective Aug. 1, 2022. Full announcement through the link.

Mission San Jose/St. Joseph Parish invites our Diocese faithful to celebrate a year-long commemoration and celebration of the 225th anniversary of founding the 14th mission, La Misión del Gloriosisimo Patriarca San José. Invitation letter, along with decree from Bishop Barber, available through the link.

Bishop Barber invites the Diocese faithful to join in a "Great Prayer for Life". Help spread the word and encourage those in your parish community to join. More info, including locations across the Diocese, through the link.

"I appeal to the whole diocese to join together with Pope Francis, and dedicate our Ash Wednesday fast and abstinence in prayer for peace. We unite ourselves with those suffering in Ukraine, and implore the intercession of Our Lady Queen of Peace and Queen of the World.”

Bishop Barber delivered the Homily at the private funeral Mass for John Madden on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. This Homily will also appear in the March issue of The Catholic Voice under Bishop's regular column.

Read Bishop Barber's latest column, "With Mary's Help, We Can Make a Difference / Con la ayuda de Maria, podemos hacer la diferencia".