Bishop-elect Timothy Freyer will assist Bishop Kevin Vann in caring for the spiritual needs of more than 1.3 million Catholics in Orange County, Calif. Orange, Calif., (January 13, 2017) – Huntington Beach native and priest of the Diocese of Orange for the past 27 years, Bishop-elect Timothy Freyer will be elevated to the role of Auxiliary Bishop of Orange in a solemn and ancient ceremony celebrated by the Most Reverend Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange, January 17, 2017, 2 p.m. at St. Columban Church in Garden Grove (10801 Stanford Ave). Bishop-elect Freyer will join Bishop Vann in caring for the multifaceted and complex needs of a diverse and growing Diocese of more than 1.3 million faithful. “We are blessed as a Church to welcome such a humble servant as our new Auxiliary Bishop. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Bishop-elect Freyer over the past several years and have admired his generosity, faithfulness and intellect. I look forward to seeing his ministry develop over the coming years and the many gifts he will bring to the faithful of Orange in his new role,” said Bishop Vann. Bishop-elect Freyer has held numerous roles within the Diocese of Orange since his ordination in 1989 serving as parochial vicar of Saint Hedwig in Los Alamitos, Our Lady of Fatima in San Clemente, Saint Catherine of Siena in Laguna Beach, and later as pastor at Saint Mary’s in Fullerton. In 2003 Father Freyer became pastor at Saint Boniface in Anaheim. After this time, Father Freyer assumed several diocesan administrative posts and accepted seats on numerous charitable and community boards. Bishop-elect Fryer is fluent in Spanish and is the first of his ordination class to be elevated to the role of Bishop. “I am looking forward to joining and supporting the incredible work and ministry of Bishop Vann. His efforts to evangelize and care for the marginalized in our communities is an inspiration and something I plan to take an active role in supporting. Additionally, as a former pastor I am focused caring for our parish and school communities and assisting our pastors in caring for the spiritual needs of our flock,” said Bishop-elect Timothy Freyer.   About Bishop-elect Fryer  Rev. 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. In 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. He was named Episcopal Vicar for Priests in 2012, with responsibility for the care and ongoing formation of the priests of the Diocese of Orange. Additionally, Father was named the first bishop’s liaison to the Jovenes para Cristo (Young Adults for Christ) movement from 1998-2004, helping them to write their statutes and revise their plan of formation as well as assisting them as they opened chapters in California, Texas and Oregon. Fr. Tim served as one of the founding board members of the Anaheim Family Justice Center (now called the Orange County Family Justice Center) that assists victims of domestic violence. Father served two terms as a member of the board of trustees for St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton and continues to serve on the Community Benefits Committee that oversees the Medical Center’s care-for-the-poor programs. He is currently a police chaplain for the Anaheim Police Department. Fr. Freyer is the only child of Jerry and Patricia Freyer. His father died in 1977 and his mother currently resides in Huntington Beach. Pastoral Center: Communications Department 13280 Chapman Ave. Garden Grove, CA 92840 Office: 714-282-3075 Fax: 714-282-3025