Posted: Oct 16, 2009 8:13 AM by Associated Press
A parish priest in Miami has been selected as the next bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pueblo. The Rev. Fernando Isern replaces 76-year-old Bishop Arthur Tafoya, who is retiring effective Dec. 10.
Isern is scheduled to be ordained and installed as the diocese's fourth bishop the same day. Tafoya's assistant, Deacon Jake Arellano, said Tafoya was on a pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey yesterday.
Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput said Tafoya would be greatly missed. Chaput says Isern has an outstanding record of leadership as a pastor, a devotion to prison ministry and advocacy for the unborn child and the poor, strong roots in the Latino community, and an ability to work with various social backgrounds.