The Rev. John Watson, priest-in-charge of two congregations and coordinator of the diocesan “Requiem or Renaissance” program, will serve as interim diocesan canon until the consecration of Bishop-elect Antonio J. Gallardo L. on July 11, Bishop John Harvey Taylor announced today.
Watson will begin his interim ministry on March 1, as Canon to the Ordinary Melissa McCarthy and associate for transition and formation ministry Norma Guerra undertake their new responsibilities as priest-in-charge at St. Matthew’s in Pacific Palisades and priest-in-charge as emergent rector at St. Paul’s in Tustin, respectively. Watson will take on some of their responsibilities while continuing his work with “Requiem or Renaissance,” which supports missions and parishes in transition.
Ordained in the Church of England in 2003 and a pioneer in launching its first Spanish-speaking congregation, Watson became priest-in-charge at two Los Angeles congregations – St. Athanasius in Echo Park and Epiphany in Lincoln Heights – in November 2023. Working with McCarthy, he helped secure a Trinity Wall Street grant for “Requiem or Renaissance.” He also chairs the Lydia Lopez Center for Community Empowerment.
“The Holy Spirit is asking this brilliant priest to do the impossible, namely succeed two extraordinary servants of the diocese and gospel, Melissa and Norma,” Taylor said. “It will be a sprint rather than a marathon, since I’m only asking him to undertake their most vital duties as we await Bishop Gallardo L.’s consecration. John was a logical choice since, among his many other gifts, he has already demonstrated the ability to be in three places at once.”
The Rev. Tom Carey, a former vicar at Epiphany, now back in Los Angeles after a stint of interim ministry in the Diocese of Long Island, will take over Watson’s duties at Epiphany and St. Athanasius.
The bishop-elect has signaled his intention to name the Rev. Jon Feuss, associate rector of St. James in the City in Los Angeles, as canon to the ordinary, effective on July 11.