WASHINGTON (December 11, 2003) -- Pope John Paul II has appointed Father Oscar Azarcon Solis, pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux, Louisiana, as Titular Bishop of Urci and Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles.

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

Oscar Azarcon Solis was born in San Jose City, Philippines, October 13, 1953. He studied at Christ the King Seminary of the Society of the Divine Word in Quezon City, Philippines, and at the Pontifical Royal Seminary, University of Santo Tomas, in Manila.

Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Cabanatuan, Philippines, April 28, 1979, Father Solis was Chaplain, Christian Family Movement, 1979-1980, Campus Minister, Araullo University, 1980-1984, and Chaplain, Knights of Columbus, 1982-1984. He was also diocesan vocations director and secretary of the Senate of Priests.

After migrating to the United States in 1984, Father Solis served as associate pastor of St. Rocco's parish, New Jersey, 1984-1988. With permission from his Ordinary in the Philippines, he went to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in 1988 where he was appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in 1992, and was named pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in 1999. He has been a member of the Diocesan Priests' Council, the Personnel Committee and the College of Consultors.

In addition to Tagalog and English, Bishop-designate Solis speaks fluent Spanish and Creole French.

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