Photo from The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington by Paul Fetters
Evelio Menjivar-Ayala is a Salvadoran priest of the Catholic Church who became an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Washington. Evelio Menjivar-Ayala was born into a humble family in Chalatenango, El Salvador, in 1970. He is the first Central American-born bishop to serve in the United States.
Bishop Menjivar grew up in a farming family and values his humble beginnings, emphasizing the importance of faith in God and family unity for true happiness. His childhood coincided with the start of the armed conflict in El Salvador, forcing his family to flee for safety.
After several attempts to cross the U.S. border as an immigrant, Evelio finally made it to Los Angeles in 1990. He worked in a variety of jobs and sought to further his education by overcoming the challenges immigrants face. However, during this time, he felt homesick for his homeland and family due to his immigration status.
His religious vocation developed over time, with calls to the priesthood occurring as early as his teens. He found refuge in the Catholic Church, which he considered a place of meeting and sharing. After studies and vocational discernment, he was ordained deacon in 2002 and priest in 2004.
Since his ordination, Bishop Menjivar has dedicated himself to serving diverse parish communities, emphasizing his willingness to work with different ethnic groups and stay connected to the needs of the people. As auxiliary bishop, he will continue to serve the archdiocese and Hispanic communities while maintaining his commitment to the poor, the humble, and immigrants.
Her motto, “He walked with them”, reflects his desire to accompany people on their spiritual journey, including those who arrive as migrants, while leading and guiding the community from diverse backgrounds.
The bishop is recognized for his dedication to faith, humility, and family unity as driving forces in his life and ministry.
