Dear USD Campus Community:

We were notified yesterday afternoon of the sad news that Bishop Robert Brom, former Bishop of San Diego, died at his home earlier in the day. Bishop Brom became Bishop of San Diego on July 10, 1990. He was a pastor, teacher and servant leader of the Catholic community in San Diego and Imperial counties for 23 years, overseeing the building of many beautiful churches in our diocese as well as the establishment of two magnificent Catholic high school campuses. He retired on September 18, 2013. In his retirement years, Bishop Brom intensified the prison ministry that he began as Bishop and his service to the Missionaries of Charity.

Bishop Brom served on USD’s Board of Trustees from 1990 to 2005. He was a strong supporter of the university and helped to strengthen its mission and Catholic identity.

Many on our campus today may not be aware that our Hughes building was the former San Diego Diocesan Pastoral Center, where USD’s founder, Bishop Charles Buddy, resided. Bishop Brom was instrumental in the sale of the Pastoral Center to the University of San Diego.

I invite the entire Torero family to remember Bishop Brom in your thoughts and prayers. His funeral will be held at Saint Therèsé of Carmel Church on Tuesday, May 17, at 11:00 a.m.

Peace,

James T. Harris III, DEd