By Pat McCaughan
The Rt. Rev. Antonio José Gallardo Lucena was ordained and consecrated the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles on July 11 – and the first Latino to hold the office – “In the Spirit of Love and Truth” as hundreds applauded, whistled and cheered in a festive multilingual ceremony celebrating the diocese’s rich cultural diversity and “God, doing a new thing.”
Rousing Korean drummers called out joyful welcome as hundreds of lay, clergy and ecumenical colleagues gathered at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena (opens in a new tab), where the Venezuela-born Gallardo L. had served as pastor for Latino ministries from 2015 to 2019.
The inter-tribal Native American Sisters of the One Drum led processions of more than 30 bishops from across The Episcopal Church. Thousands more joined the livestreamed celebration in watch parties at churches and from homes across the six-county diocese.
Prayers offered in the Four Sacred Directions from “First Women Gather Around the Fire” began the service, followed by acknowledgement that the church sits on land formerly occupied by the Tongva people.
A moment of silence recalled victims of the June 24 earthquakes that struck Venezuela, killing nearly 4,000, injuring another 16,000 and displacing more than 18,000.
The offertory collection was dedicated to support Episcopal Relief and Development’s International Disaster Fund. The organization is providing critical relief and long-term recovery support to those impacted by the earthquakes. Learn more about relief for Venezuela (opens in a new tab).
View the July 11 consecration service (opens in a new tab). More than 1,200 watched the liturgy online, while some 800 were present in the church sanctuary. View a consecration video collage (opens in a new tab).
Gallardo L.’s election represents “God doing a new thing,” according to the Rev. Norma Guerra, rector emergent of St. Paul’s Church in Tustin, preaching in Spanish and English amid laughter, applause, cheers and choruses of “amens.” The ceremony was celebrated on the feast of St. Benedict of Nursia.
“One of the most important things to remind you is, you are not alone in this journey; God is by your side and we are, too,” Guerra offered advice from her father, the Rt. Rev. Armando Guerra, who had served as Bishop of Guatemala from 1982 to 2018 and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Central America from 2010 to 2015.
“I know you can feel the love in this room and across the diocese and across the distance all the way to Venezuela and in other places,” she said. “Because the Spirit of God is moving in Los Angeles. My brother, we are in this together.”
“You also stand on the shoulders of earlier bishops whose faith and integrity have provided a sure foundation and cornerstone for your ministry. You have the wisdom and support of your fellow bishops and a wonderful diocesan staff,” said Guerra, who until February 2026 had served as diocesan associate for formation and transition ministry. “Each of them is a treasure; their commitment and love for this diocese is evident in everything they do.”
“When all of this is done, the best wishes and deep prayers are offered, the emotions have receded and the reality of what has been done here today sinks in, I am certain they will be ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work with you.”
In a world of shifting values and blurred lines – racism, homophobia, sexism and classism – a spirit of love and truth is exactly what is needed, said Guerra. “My brother, we need a prophetic voice that speaks truth in love, even when doing so is unpopular.”
Gallardo L. chose the theme “In the Spirit of Love and Truth” for both the consecration and his episcopate, from Ephesians 4:15: “Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him, who is the head, into Christ.” Banners depicting the theme in a specially designed shield lined the entryway to the Pasadena church, where Gallardo L. originally joined The Episcopal Church and which “has a special place in my heart,” he said.
A 103-voice choir, including All Saints’ Canterbury and Coventry choirs under the direction of Dr. Weicheng Zhao, All Saints’ Children’s and Youth choir, directed by Jenny Tisi, and the Chapel Choir of the Church of Our Saviour in San Gabriel, directed by Bob Crocker, performed a range of musical genres including the gospel hymn “We’ve Come this Far by Faith” featuring soloist Angie Fisher and “Thanksgiving Hymn,” featuring soloist Julia Hwang.
Bishop Taylor presented Gallardo L. with the diocesan crozier, a pastoral staff carried by all previous bishops of the diocese, beginning in the early 1920s by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Horsfall Johnson, the diocese’s first bishop, whose son, Reginald, led the architectural team that designed All Saints’ 1924 Gothic Revival sanctuary.
In a written word of gratitude in the service program, Gallardo L. offered thanks to God, family, mentors and teachers, with a special thanks to his Aunt Yeya, “for instilling in me the love for God and Jesus since I was a little child.” He said he plans to lead with theological clarity and pastoral charity. He also thanked lay and clergy leaders and colleagues, along with Taylor, “for leaving me a diocese that is ready for whatever is next.”
“This day we begin a new stretch in our life as a diocese,” Gallardo L. wrote. “I look forward to exploring, discovering, and growing together. May the road ahead be inspired by the desires of our hearts to grow closer to Jesus, to be one in Christ, and to be led by the Spirit of Love and Truth.”
Gallardo L. was elected to become eighth bishop of Los Angeles by the 130th annual meeting of the diocese on the eighth ballot on Nov. 8, 2025. He is the 1,180th bishop of The Episcopal Church.
Born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, he was ordained a priest in 2019 in Los Angeles. He holds a Ph.D. in business and economics from Lehigh University. Prior to ordination, he had served as chief program officer for First 5 Los Angeles, a public foundation from 2010 to 2013; as deputy director of the Farmworker Institute of Education & Leadership Development; and as president and CEO of Philadelphia Area Accelerated Manufacturing Education.
He is a lecturer at Cal Poly Pomona’s Business School, and has served as instructor in UCLA’s Department of Engineering, Information Systems and Technical Management from 2008 to 2015 and professor in the School of Sciences, Universidad Centro Occidental Lisandro Alvarado, Venezuela, from 1990 to 1993.
Gallardo L. succeeds Taylor, who served as diocesan bishop for nine years. The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles was established in 1896 and encompasses 49,000 members worshipping in 132 congregations, 26 schools and institutions located in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Immediately after the service, guests enjoyed the music of Dan Cole’s Grupo Arroyo and a festive lunch with fare including tacos, aguas frescas and In-N-Out burgers outside All Saints’ Church, known for its social justice and advocacy. All Saints was selected as the consecration venue because it has the largest seating capacity of churches in the Diocese of Los Angeles.
Lunch hospitality was coordinated by the diocesan Transitions Committee, co-chaired by Sheira Smith of Christ the Good Shepherd Church, Los Angeles, and the Rev. Canon Greg Larkin of St. Paul’s, Ventura, while the consecration arrangements committee was chaired by the Very Rev. Canon Kay Sylvester, rector of St. Paul’s, Tustin. Both committees were named by the diocesan Standing Committee, led by the Rev. Dr. Kate Cress, rector of St. James’, Los Angeles.
Celebratory events continue Sunday, July 12, with the 2 p.m. Walk of Love and Truth from St. Paul’s Commons in Echo Park to St. John’s Cathedral and a 4 p.m. installation service. View the July 12 installation livestream (opens in a new tab).
Interior church photos by Ashley Nguyen and outdoor photos by Ruben Cortez, for The News.