Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Bishop Larry Silva of the Diocese of Honolulu; Appoints Reverend Michael Castori, SJ, as Successor

Major news for Catholics in Hawaiʻi today: Pope Leo XIV has officially accepted the retirement of Bishop Larry Silva and appointed Fr. Michael T. Castori, SJ, as the next Bishop of Honolulu.

Bishop Silva has led the Diocese of Honolulu since 2005 and was the first Hawaiʻi-born bishop of the diocese. His tenure covered some major moments in the local Church, including the canonizations of St. Damien and St. Marianne Cope, the elevation of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace to a Papal Minor Basilica in 2014, the Maui fires, and preparations for the upcoming 2027 bicentennial of Catholicism in Hawaiʻi.

The new bishop-designate, Fr. Michael Castori, SJ, is a Jesuit Priest currently serving as Rector at Seattle University. What’s especially interesting is his background in the Pacific: he’s served in Tonga, Fiji, Guam, the Marshall Islands, and among Tongan Catholic communities on the mainland. He also speaks Tongan along with several other languages.

Honestly feels like Rome intentionally chose someone with deep Pacific and multicultural pastoral experience, which makes a lot of sense for Hawaiʻi.

Definitely a historic day for the local Church. Please keep Bishop Silva and Bishop-elect Castori in your prayers.