The Installation celebrations began with a prayer service Wednesday for member of the Catholic Clergy at St. John's Cathedral Wednesday night. Thursday was the first official mass, the Mass of Installation, for Fresno's new Bishop. Bishop Armando Ochoa is the fifth Bishop for the Diocese of Fresno and the second Hispanic Bishop.
Representatives from parishes around the Central Valley were at the Mass along with nearly 200 members of the Catholic clergy from around the Countr
"It's fabulous theres nothing like it in the whole wide world," said one Parishioner.
Bishop Ochoa replaces Bishop Steinbock, who died in December of 2010. Steinbock served as Bishop for the Diocese of Fresno since 1991.
"I'll be the first to say im not here to fill Bishop John Steinbock's big feet, you know, he has some wonderful shoes. but I bring to the Diocese my own style of servant leadership," said the new Bishop, Armando Ochoa. Some of the issues he feels most passionately about include immigration and overcoming controversial obstacles the Church faces.
"How are we going to regain our credibility, how are we going to re invite those victim survivors and their families," said Bishop Ochoa.
31 guest Bishops were part of the Mass of Installation, along with 3 Archbishops and Cardinal Roger Mahony. Ochao was ordained as Bishop 25 years ago by Cardinal Mahony.
"You're getting a seasoned, experienced good bishop who's going to be wonderful," said Cardinal Mahony.
Bishop Ochoa will celebrate his Silver Jubilee, 25 years as a Bishop, at the end of February.