Archbishop of Santa Fe
John Charles Wester was born on November 5, 1950, in San Francisco, California, within the archdiocese of the same name. After attending Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School in Daly City, as well as Saint Joseph High School Seminary (1964–1968) and Saint Joseph College Seminary (1968–1972) in Mountain View, he pursued theological studies at Saint Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park (1972–1976). Subsequently, he earned a Master’s degree in Spiritual Theology from the University of San Francisco (1984) and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Holy Names College in Oakland (1993). He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco on May 15, 1976. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: Parochial Vicar at Saint Raphael Parish in San Rafael (1976–1979); Teacher (1979–1984), Chaplain (1982–1984), and President (1984–1986) at Marin Catholic High School in Kentfield; Assistant Superintendent of Catholic high schools (1986–1988); Personal Secretary and Master of Ceremonies to Archbishop John R. Quinn (1988–1993); Pastor of Saint Stephen Parish in San Francisco (1993–1997); and Vicar for Clergy (1997–1998). Appointed Titular Bishop of Lamiggiga and Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco on June 30, 1998, he received episcopal ordination on September 18 of that year. As Auxiliary Bishop, he served as Vicar General and, from August 2005 to February 2006, as Apostolic Administrator during the *sede vacante* period. He was appointed Bishop of Salt Lake City, Utah, on January 8, 2007. Within the Episcopal Conference, he serves as Chair of the Committee on Communications and as a member of the Administrative Committee and the Committee on Migration. In addition to English, he/she knows Spanish.