Vatican announces Rev. Timothy Freyer will be elevated to new role, supporting Bishop Kevin Vann
The Vatican today announced that Rev. Timothy Freyer has been appointed by the Holy See as Auxiliary Bishop for the growing Diocese of Orange. His episcopal ordination will be announced shortly. (January 17, 2017)
“I am both humbled and honored to accept this appointment,” said Fr. Freyer. “I am grateful to Pope Francis and to Bishop Vann for their trust and confidence in me and I pray that I may live up to their expectations. In addition to my gratitude to the Holy Father and Bishop Vann, I am also grateful to Bishops Brown and Luong for their friendship and affection over these past years.”
In his new role, Fr. Freyer says he will assist Bishop Vann in any way he can, including continuing to develop the diocese’s new pastoral plan. He will also continue to focus on evangelization, including creating experiences, ministries and structures that will bring people closer to Christ.
“We are blessed as Diocese to continue to benefit from kind and humble leadership offered by Fr. Freyer, as a priest, and now a Bishop,” said Bishop Vann. “Fr. Freyer’s deep love of God is evident in every encounter shared and he always seeks to show the merciful and inspiring face of Christ to those facing their darkest days. I am truly blessed to work with Fr. Freyer in the garden of the Lord.”
Fr. Freyer’s roots are in Southern California. He was born in L.A. and grew up in Huntington Beach, a short drive from Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, where he will serve in his new role as Auxiliary Bishop.
After graduating from Huntington Beach High School he entered the St. John’s Seminary College in Camarillo, CA where he earned his bachelor’s degree, followed by four years at St. John’s Seminary where, as a graduate student, he studied Theology.
Fr. Freyer was ordained a priest on June 10, 1989 and his first assignment was as associate pastor at St. Hedwig Church in Los Alamitos, within the Diocese of Orange. He served in that role for five years before being assigned to Our Lady of Fatima Church in San Clemente. Five years later, he moved to St. Catherine of Siena Church in Laguna Beach where he remained for two years.
n 2001, Fr. Freyer was appointed pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Fullerton, and then in 2003 was reassigned as pastor for St. Boniface Church in Anaheim.