Cardinal Roger Mahony has named Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis as director of the archdiocesan Office of Justice and Peace.

"Bishop Solis has already been very involved in issues concerning immigration rights, and brings the concerns of many of the ethnic communities here in the Archdiocese in connection with justice and peace issues," said Msgr. Royale M. Vadakin, vicar general and moderator of the curia, is announcing the appointment.

Assisting Bishop Solis will be Deacon John Steele, as a part-time program director. Continuing in the Office of Justice and Peace will be Joan Harper, who is a consultant for the Campaign for Human Development and CRS.

A "strong and experienced" Justice and Peace Commission will support the work of Bishop Solis in the Office of Justice and Peace, said Msgr. Vadakin.

Bishop Solis, ordained to the priesthood in 1979, has been an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles since February 2004. Deacon Steele, ordained to the diaconate in 1998, serves at Holy Family Church in Glendale.