Retired Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark celebrated his Silver Jubilee of episcopal ordination on March 28, marking 25 years since becoming a bishop. The event took place at St. Maria Goretti Church in Long Beach and was attended by friends, family, and fellow clergy.
The milestone Mass recognized both the challenges and blessings of Clark’s service over the past quarter-century. Many attendees reflected on his role as a teacher, administrator, pastor, and friend throughout his assignments in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
“I offer this Mass to you, as my thanksgiving to you, for being with me, supporting me, carrying me over these years,” said Clark during the celebration. He added: “Most of all, I thank almighty God, who took this vessel of clay, crafted and shaped it, sometimes broken, and who healed it and found it useful.”
Clark was named an auxiliary bishop by St. Pope John Paul II in 2001 and ordained by Cardinal Roger Mahony on March 26 that year—the same day then-Father José H. Gomez became an auxiliary bishop in Denver. At the anniversary Mass were Archbishop José H. Gomez, Cardinal Mahony himself—who ordained Clark—and five other bishops from Los Angeles.
In his homily reflecting on his journey through priesthood and episcopacy amid changes within the Church over 25 years—including serving during the clerical sexual abuse crisis—Clark said: “Everything I know about theology, I learned from the Cross.” He emphasized balance between serving God and others: “We have to keep those things in balance. And that’s what the priests and bishops are called to do.”
Clark acknowledged that becoming a bishop shortly before revelations about clerical abuse cast “a cloud” over the Catholic Church affected him deeply: “In some ways it robbed me of the joy of being a bishop… We always had to be conscious to the people who were mistreated and suffered. We can never forget them.” He called for unity within the Church: “We have to set aside division… Set aside angry voices.”
Guests shared memories highlighting different aspects of Clark’s ministry—from Joseph Ng describing him as approachable—“He just loves his people”—to Yolanda Brown recalling how he mentored her with open-door guidance focused on relationships with parishioners.
As he marked this significant anniversary under his episcopal motto “The gift received; give as a gift,” many attendees credited Bishop Clark’s humility and dedication for shaping their own journeys within their faith communities.
