Planning updates for the July 11, 2026, consecration of the Rev. Dr. Antonio José Gallardo Lucena as the eighth bishop of Los Angeles highlighted Diocesan Council’s Feb. 12 online meeting, along with overall diocesan financial reports reflecting year-end revenue ahead of budget.
The consecration at All Saints Church in Pasadena will be livestreamed, and watch parties will be encouraged throughout the diocese, the Rev. Dr. Kate Cress, president of the Standing Committee and rector of St. James’ Church in Los Angeles, said.
“Now we have a consecration committee, that’s our exciting news, It’s an amazing group being co-chaired by the Very Rev. Canon Kay Sylvester and the Rev. Carlos Ruvalcaba.”
Cress said the newly appointed committee will be responsible for the liturgical aspects of the consecration and will work in tandem with the transitions committee, which is coordinating hospitality and invitations, and with the Office of Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on consecration details.
Secretary of Convention Canon Dr. Steve Nishibayashi chaired the Feb. 12 meeting on behalf of Bishop John Harvey Taylor, who was attending a gathering of the National Association of Episcopal Schools in Montgomery, Alabama, he said.
Financial report
The diocese’s interim treasurer, Canon Dan Valdez, reported that Mission Share Fund assessments were ahead of budget by $252,725 at the end of the 2025 fiscal year. “I don’t know when the last time was that we’ve been able to say that, at year end, we exceeded our projected expectation.”
In other financial news, Valdez also reported that income for the Corporation of the Diocese, which manages diocesan assets, properties and financial obligations, ended the year about $203,250 ahead of budget, derived primarily from rental income, contributions and salary continuation.
The Bishop as Corporation Sole, or Corp Sole, also ended the year about $220,607 ahead of budget, partially because of the sale of a nonsacred property, Valdez said, noting that Taylor, during his tenure as bishop, has worked to transition cash assets from Corp Sole to the diocesan Endowment Fund, for greater transparency.
Regular contribution income was up by $37,500. Expenses for St. Paul’s Commons facilities, buildings and grounds were over budget, because of investment in security measures, he said.
The Annual Appeal Fire Relief Fund totaled about $800,000, with grants of about $426,000 awarded, Valdez said.
Committee reports
In response to questions about the consecration, Cress also confirmed that guests will be invited to attend the ceremony at All Saints Church in Pasadena, which seats about 800, with auxiliary space seating another 150. Tents will be set up outdoors for the reception, she said.
About $50,000 has been budgeted to cover the cost of the consecration, Cress said. Committees will work with the diocesan communications office to keep everyone informed. She encouraged everyone, if they have not already done so, to subscribe to the diocesan Episcopal News, for updates and consecration details. Lay leaders of congregations also will be contacted with information about the consecration, she added.
Reporting for the Standing Committee, Cress said Canon Janet Wylie has prepared a procedures manual for the group. The Standing Committee also approved a one-year license agreement for St. Philip’s, Los Angeles, with FEAST Inc., for operation of a food distribution program. In addition, the committee approved a two-year license agreement between the Diocese of Los Angeles and Nefesh, a progressive Jewish spiritual community.
Parochial reports are due March 1, and can be filed online, Nishibayashi reported. Late reports must be made to Council Secretary Samantha Wylie, who will have access to The Episcopal Church portal until May 1. Questions about the report may be directed to Wylie at: samanthawylie@ladiocese.org
Reports for the good of the order
Additionally, the Rev. Neil Tadken, rector of St. Luke’s, Monrovia, reported he will be attending, “Faithful Resistance: a Public Witness for Immigrant Justice” an anti-ICE protest scheduled to take place Feb. 25 in Washington, D.C. The event is being organized by ecumenical and interfaith leaders. More info about it may be found here.
Canon for Common Life Bob Williams reported that to mark the bishop’s upcoming retirement, the Neighborhood Youth Association – a 120-year-old diocesan institution specializing in 100-percent college placement for under-resourced youth – has established a scholarship in the Taylor’s honor.
With gratitude for the bishop’s outstanding leadership as chair of NYA’s board of trustees, the agency’s goal is to raise funds sufficient for investment to provide annual scholarships honoring Taylor going forward, Williams said, inviting online gifts via NYA’s website, or by checks mailed to NYA at 3590 Grand View Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066.
Williams also reported the diocesan Program Group on Communications will soon convene with agenda items including reconstituting the editorial board of The Episcopal News, the diocese’s continuing news publication established in 1897. In addition to brainstorming ways to strengthen the diocese’s digital, video and social media, the program group will discuss the importance of maintaining The News as a publication of record in Southern California and the Central Coast, said Williams, who on Feb. 10 marked his 40th anniversary of work with the diocesan communications office.
To subscribe to The Episcopal News, click here https://diocesela.org/episcopal-news/contact/.
Williams also noted the upcoming diocesan Lunar New Year celebration [ add link ] at 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, at St. Gabriel’s Church in Monterey Park.
He added that the most recent issue of The Episcopal News included information on “an important survey on LGBTQ+ life in the church. The deadline for filing it is March 15, and the Rev. Canon Susan Russell, GLEAM, and the Bishop’s Commission on LGBTQ+ Ministries will appreciate” wide response to the survey, which may be accessed here.
The 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church (2022) established a Task Force on LGBTQ+ Inclusion to conduct a churchwide audit of its commitments to LGBTQ+ inclusion. The survey seeks input from all Episcopalians—LGBTQ+ and allies—regarding experiences with, pastoral care, sacramental access, and leadership representation.
Williams also reported the deaths of the Rev. Beverly Factor and the Rev. Bryan Jones.
Nishibayashi noted that Feb. 19 is the 82nd anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which led to the imprisonment of 120,000 people of Japanese descent across the United States. Nishibayashi’s parents were among those 120,000.
“We remember that, at St. Mary’s, Mariposa, and it seems appropriate in this current age to remember the impact of executive orders, the potential for interment, whether justified or not. History does have a way of repeating itself.”
The next meeting of Diocesan Council will be online, at 4 p.m., Thursday, March 12.