Pope Francis on January 23, 2018, appointed Bishop Myron Joseph Cotta, currently auxiliary bishop of Sacramento as the new bishop of Stockton, California. He replaces Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, who led the Stockton Diocese since 1999,
Bishop Myron Joseph Cotta
Bishop Myron Joseph Cotta was born on March 21, 1953, in Dos Palos (California), in the diocese of Fresno. After attending the Bryant Elementary School, the Sacred Heart Catholic School and the Dos Palos Joint Union High School in Dos Palos, he obtained the Associates Degree at the West Hills Junior College in Coalinga (1973). He entered the seminary in 1980, he carried out his ecclesiastical studies at the Saint John Seminary in Camarillo (until 1987).
He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Fresno on September 12, 1987.
Since priestly ordination, he has held the following offices: vicar of the Saint Anthony parish in Atwater (1987-1989); director of the Our Lady of Fatima Sanctuary in Laton (1989-1992); pastor of the Our Lady of Miracles parish in Gustine (1992-1999) and at the same time administrator of the Holy Rosary Parish in Hilmar (1994); vicar general, moderator of the Curia, vicar for the clergy, director of the Office for Permanent Formation of the Clergy, director of the Office for the Propagation of the Faith, director for Pastoral Support of Priests, supervisor of the Safe Environment Program, director of the Sensitive Claim Board and member of the Diocesan Finance Council (1999-2010); diocesan administrator (2010-2011); member of the Diocesan Personnel Board (since 1996); diocesan consultor (since 1999); vicar general and moderator of the Curia (since 2011).
In 2002 he was named Chaplain of His Holiness and, in 2008, Prelate of Honour.
He was appointed titular bishop of Muteci and auxiliary of the diocese of Sacramento on January 24, 2014, receiving episcopal consecration on the following March 25. Within the Episcopal Conference, he is a member of the “Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs”.
Besides English, he knows Portuguese and Spanish.
JF
