WASHINGTON (January 22, 2001) -- Pope John Paul II appointed Auxiliary Bishop William E. Lori of Washington as Bishop of Bridgeport. Bishop Lori succeeds Cardinal-designate Edward M. Egan who was named Archbishop of New York last May.

The Pope appointed the Reverend Father Jose H. Gomez, until now Priest of the Opus Dei and Vicar Delegate of Opus Dei for the State of Texas, as Titular Bishop of Belali and Auxiliary Bishop of Denver.

Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, announced the appointments.

William Lori was born in Louisville, May 6, 1951. He studied at the Catholic University of America and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD, and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington on May 14, 1977. He was named Titular Bishop of Bulla and Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, February 28, 1995.

Jose Gomez was born on Dec. 26, 1951 in Monterrey, Mexico. He became a U.S. citizen in 1995.

Father Gomez was ordained a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei on August 15, 1978.

In 1987 he was sent to the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. From 1987 until 1999 he ministered for the Prelature of Opus Dei in various works. He was named Vicar of Opus Dei for the State of Texas in 1999.

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