From the Rev. Dr. Antonio J. Gallardo L.
Greetings dear followers of Christ in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
I have humbly accepted the nomination to the slate of candidates for the eighth bishop of our beloved diocese.
My deep desire is to serve God and God’s people, and my spiritual journey has led me to this place of discerning, with you, to this call as bishop, having been persuaded by the Spirit.
I am a person of faith, a pastor, a steward of resources, a teacher, a deliverer of results, and someone who inspires people to work together, building upon their own strengths and abilities. Above all, I am a follower of Jesus Christ who strives to live every day – by the grace of the Holy Spirit – with a genuine desire to respond faithfully to God’s radical call.
In reflecting on the expressed needs of the Diocese of Los Angeles, considering the Bishop Search’s survey, the listening sessions, and my own experience as an active member in the diocese, I share the collective desire to develop a diocesan vision that unites us in our diversity, invites all in our diocese to become active participants in making that vision a reality, and supports our congregations in becoming more vital and effective.
My experience in both ministry and executive leadership has uniquely prepared me with the skills needed for this moment in the life of our diocese. I am an effective strategist with a demonstrated capacity to bring diverse people to the table to develop a shared sense of purpose, building upon our strengths while maintaining engagement and motivation.
I share the desire stated by those in our diocese for clear, consistent communication and transparency. I, like you, want to feel proud that our diocese is in tune with the realities of the world and is actively promoting mutual healing and transformation, being a loud voice for peace and justice.
I am confident in my administrative skills, having successfully managed operations larger than our diocese, and delivering results efficiently with the highest level of transparency and integrity, while balancing the needs of different constituents and maintaining their engagement and keeping them informed. Having worked in various sectors of the economy across multiple countries and in organizations of different sizes, I have learned to successfully transfer the skills I have developed and adapt them to the specific needs of each call.
As a faithful pastor, I have guided people from all walks of life to lean more fully into discipleship, sharing with them God’s love and compassion, meeting them where they are, and nourishing them in using their gifts to make God’s vision for us a reality. I look forward to being a pastor who listens, guides, and strengthens the diocesan staff and clergy, so that, in turn, they may thrive in their ministry and serve their communities well.
As an active member of our diocese for the past 16 years, I am familiar with local ministry needs and have a solid foundation, allowing for a relatively smooth transition. I have served in three congregations that reflect the diversity of our ministries, as a pastor at All Saints in Pasadena, a vicar at St. Luke’s of the Mountains in La Crescenta, and currently as the Rector of St. Luke’s in Long Beach. I also have experience serving on each of the diocesan governing bodies and have been appointed to many working groups and commissions in the diocese and in the wider Episcopal Church.
I love and respect our Episcopal tradition, and I bring a broad perspective to my faithful leadership, drawing on my lived experiences as an immigrant, as a working professional in the corporate and philanthropic sectors, and in my upbringing in a different Christian tradition.
I am aware of the challenges that we face as a diocese, and I am even more excited about the possibilities that the Spirit of God has in store for us. I am excited to get to know more of the amazing lay people of this diocese, learn what inspires them, and hear about their God-given talents. I am also looking forward to listening to all the clergy of the diocese, especially those leading congregations, to learn about the desires that God has placed in their hearts and to work together to decide what the diocese can do to support them in their ministries.
Given the state of our nation and world, I am eager to explore with others, including Presiding Bishop Rowe, the role of the Episcopal Church in the life of our country, as some of the most vulnerable in our communities face cruelty and fear.
I see beauty and possibility arising from the reimagining of the role of bishop that is currently happening in our Church: an increased focus on humility, vulnerability, and pastoral care; the exploration of new possibilities to evangelize; the insistence on supporting local communities, where the actual work with the people happens; and the nimbleness to respond to the growing needs of the world.
I am ready to meet you all, to expand my understanding of the local realities through the meet-and-greets, and to be a source of support for all congregants, clergy, and diocesan staff, guiding and uniting a diocese as diverse as ours.
I look forward to continuing in this process of mutual discernment, in which we will continue to learn from one another, and jointly pray that we remain open to what the Spirit of God has in store for our beloved Diocese of Los Angeles.
In the Spirit of Love and Truth,
The Rev. Dr. Antonio J. Gallardo L.