Pope Leo accepts retirement of Filipino-American pioneer Auxiliary Bishop Alejandro Aclan

Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Archdiocese of Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Alejandro Aclan on May 22, concluding the ministry of one of the first Filipino-born Catholic bishops to serve in the U.S.

In accordance with canon law, Bishop Aclan submitted his resignation upon turning 75, the age at which bishops must offer to retire. He also served as episcopal vicar since 2019 and previously oversaw the archdiocese’s San Fernando Pastoral Region until 2022. 

The resignation was announced by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S., and confirmed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Praising his longtime collaborator, Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez said in a statement to the archdiocese: “Bishop Aclan has been a good faithful servant. He loves the Lord and he loves the people entrusted to his care.”

“He is a good friend and trusted adviser, and I know his life will continue to be beautiful and fruitful in his retirement,” the archbishop added.

Born in the Philippines in 1951, Bishop Aclan originally trained in medical technology before immigrating to California in 1982. He entered seminary in his mid-30s and was ordained a priest for the archdiocese  in 1993.

Before Pope Francis named him an auxiliary bishop in 2019, Bishop Aclan served in several parish and archdiocesan leadership roles, including vicar for clergy, helping oversee the support and formation of priests throughout the archdiocese.

At the time of his appointment, Bishop Aclan was only the second Filipino-born bishop serving in the U.S.

Filipino Americans represent one of the largest Catholic communities in the U.S. Filipino Americans make up about three-quarters of Asian and Pacific Islander Catholics in the U.S., who total around 3 million overall. They are also a significant source of priests, nuns, and lay leaders serving in American dioceses.