From the Office of the Bishop:

It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Bishop Robert Brom at his home this morning. Bishop Brom was pastor, teacher and servant leader of the Catholic community in San Diego and Imperial Counties for 23 years. He oversaw the building of many beautiful churches in our Diocese as well as the establishment of two magnificent high school campuses. He was a natural teacher who constantly labored to bring the ecclesiology of the second Vatican council into the heart of the Diocese of San Diego. This dedication to the Council also framed his life-long service in forming men for the priesthood.

Bishop Brom’s deep love for our parishes and pastoral vision were complemented by a keen administrative capability in guiding San Diego through years of joy and hardship. In his retirement years Bishop Brom intensified the prison ministry that he began as Bishop and his service to the Missionaries of Charity.

Robert Brom was born in Arcadia, Wisconsin on September 18, 1938. He was ordained a priest of the Winona diocese on December 18, 1963. In 1983 Saint John Paul appointed him to be the bishop of Duluth, and then to be Coadjutor Bishop of San Diego on April 22, 1989. Bishop Brom became Bishop of San Diego on July 10, 1980 and retired on September 18, 2013.

The funeral for Bishop Brom will be held at Saint Therèsé of Carmel Church on Tuesday, May 17th in the morning.