San Francisco bishop will lead Utah Catholics

A San Francisco bishop is moving to Utah to lead the state's 200,000 Catholics.

The Rev. John Wester, 56, was introduced Monday as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, succeeding Bishop George Niederauer, who was promoted last year to archbishop of San Francisco.

Wester, who was an auxiliary bishop in California, pledged to promote "beautiful liturgies, sound faith-education programs, loving and compassionate service to the poor ... and parishes that flourish."

Catholics make up less than 10 percent of Utah's population. The statewide diocese has 63 parishes and missions.

Wester's appointment came from the Vatican. He will be formally installed during a Mass on March 14 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

During a news conference, he mentioned the "wonderful relationship" between the diocese and Utah's dominant faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.