Sixteen new members have been added to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops" National Advisory Council, a 63-member body which meets semi-annually to review documentation and offer recommendations concerning matters before the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Father Richard Vega, pastor of La Purisima Conception Church in Lompoc, is among the new diocesan priest representatives, elected to four-year terms on the council. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1983, and previously has served on the Priests Senate.