Pope Leo XIV appoints three bishops who criticised Trump administration
Updated
Updated · The Independent · May 1
Pope Leo XIV appoints three bishops who criticised Trump administration
9 articles · Updated · The Independent · May 1
Evelio Menjivar-Ayala becomes bishop in West Virginia, while Robert Boxie III and Gary Studniewski become auxiliary bishops in Washington.
Menjivar-Ayala attacked hardline immigration tactics, Boxie defended diversity programmes, and Studniewski condemned the 6 January 2021 Capitol attack by Trump supporters.
The appointments come amid public friction after Leo criticised Trump's Iran policy, though both Leo and Vice-President JD Vance have recently played down reports of a feud.
How will these new bishops shape the Catholic Church's future voice in American public life?
What does appointing a former undocumented immigrant as bishop signal about the Church's stance on the global migration crisis?
Can the Vatican and White House find common ground despite public clashes over foreign policy and immigration?
How Three New Bishops in 2026 Embody Pope Leo XIV’s Moral Opposition to U.S. Immigration Policies and Political Extremism
Overview
In April 2026, the Catholic Church appointed three new bishops—Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, Robert P. Boxie, and Gary R. Studniewski—reflecting Pope Leo XIV's firm moral stance amid rising tensions with the Trump administration. Menjivar-Ayala's immigrant background and advocacy, Boxie's commitment to Black Catholic communities, and Studniewski's opposition to extremism embody the Church's response to controversial immigration policies and social divisions. These appointments intensified political and religious reactions, deepening divides within American Catholicism and between the Vatican and the White House. Looking ahead, their leadership is expected to influence community relations, voter mobilization, and the Church's role in promoting social justice and human dignity in a polarized society.