On Friday, Rev. Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez was named by Pope Leo XIV as the new bishop of Palm Beach, Florida, taking over a diocese that includes over 260,000 Catholics and aligns closely with the controversial Mar-a-Lago estate of former President Donald Trump.
Rodriguez, currently the pastor at a predominantly Hispanic church in Queens, New York, expressed humility and a commitment to serve his new community, which is largely composed of hard-working individuals and families. I never, never, never expected anything even close to this, Rodriguez stated during a phone interview from Palm Beach, where he was visiting a local homeless shelter.
His background as an advocate for migrants is well noted; many of his congregants at Our Lady of Sorrows faced the devastating impact of COVID-19, resulting in the loss of over 100 parishioners. Rodriguez has openly criticized the immigration rhetoric promoted by the former administration, stating, We want to help… we believe that we can do better than the way we’re doing this right now.
Throughout his tenure, he will address the significant challenges posed by current immigration policies, which many believe have caused fear within immigrant communities and made it difficult for them to access basic resources, including housing, food, and medical care.
In light of these issues, Rodriguez aims to bridge gaps and foster a dialogue surrounding immigration that is both respectful and compassionate. His leadership comes at a time when U.S. bishops from across the spectrum have shown solidarity with migrants, emphasizing that they deserve dignity and assistance instead of fear and deportation.
Rodriguez's impending ordination will take place during a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, further marking his commitment to serve amid the complexities of immigration in today's socio-political climate.
