In comments welcoming the announcement Monsignor James P. Moroney, Rector of Saint John’s Seminary, expressed “the delight of the entire Seminary community in the Holy Father’s recognition of the spiritual and pastoral skills of this fine priest. Father Barber’s example of priestly fidelity and his readily apparent love of the Lord have drawn us all closer to Christ and to his Church. While he will be dearly missed, we are delighted that the people of Oakland will receive such a good and holy Bishop.”
Saint John’s Seminary is one of the largest and oldest seminaries serving the Dioceses of the United States, having formed more than 3,000 priests since it was founded in 1884. Today, one hundred and twenty seven seminarians from several countries and religious orders are formed in the human, spiritual, pastoral and academic skills required for effective priestly ministry in the twenty-first century.
