The auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Orange, Cirilo Flores, is taking over as coadjutor bishop effective immediately. That puts the 63 year old California Native next in line to head the Diocese of San Diego.
Flores entered the priesthood in 1986, was ordained in 1991 and he took over as auxiliary bishop in Orange County three years ago. He has a law degree from Stanford and and served on the US conference of Catholic Bishops subcommittees on Latin America and Hispanic Affairs.
Flores will replace Bishop Robert Brom when Brom retires next year. He has led the San Diego Diocese since 1990.
Brom's tenure was marked by the second highest settlement ever reached in a priest sex abuse case. 144 victims split 198 million dollars. Only a more than $700 million settlement by the Los Angeles Diocese was larger. Brom also presided over the construction of two new catholic high schools.
The diocese of San Diego has 99 parishes and represents nearly a million Catholics.
