WESLACO – A pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Hidalgo has been named auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Brownsville.

On Monday, Pope Francis appointed Father Mario Alberto Aviles as the first auxiliary bishop for the diocese.

Aviles, who’s served as procurator general of the Confederation of the Oratory of St. Philp Neri since 2012, will be helping Bishop Daniel Flores oversee more than 1 million Catholics in our region among other duties.

The public is invited to attend mass at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville to commemorate his new title. The event will start at noon.