Archbishop Paul Coakley, a longtime conservative voice in the Church, was elected Tuesday to lead the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Coakley, who previously served as the conference’s secretary, secured the presidency after three rounds of voting, edging out Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas, who will serve as vice president, according to the Associated Press. (RELATED: Federal Court Strikes Down Washington Law Forcing Priests To Break Confession Seal)
He has been consistent in placing abortion at the center of Catholic political engagement, calling it the “preeminent priority” for voters, praising Oklahoma lawmakers “for supporting pro-life measures,” and arguing that a true culture of life requires both legal protections for the unborn and a “profound change of heart,” the Catholic News Agency reported.
US Archbishop of Oklahoma City Paul Stagg Coakley (L) receives the Pallium from Pope Benedict XVI during the solemn mass at St Peter’s basilica to celebrate the feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul on June 29, 2011 at The Vatican. (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
While serving as bishop of Salina, Kansas, Coakley issued a statement in 2008 accusing then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then-Sen. Joe Biden of “misrepresent[ing] Catholic teaching on abortion” after their comments on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
He also warned about the spread of gender ideology and dysphoria in the U.S., and has criticized mass-deportation proposals, the Catholic News Agency reported.
In February, Coakley said recent White House actions were stoking fear among immigrant and refugee populations. He argued illegal immigration is wrong and stronger border controls may be needed, but stressed that most illegal migrants in Oklahoma “are upstanding members of our communities and churches, not violent criminals.”
Although born in Virginia, Coakley was appointed the fourth archbishop of Oklahoma City by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 and became metropolitan archbishop the following year, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
He said on X that he was humbled by his election and noted that his episcopal motto is Duc in altum — “Put out into the deep.”
I’m humbled by the trust which my brother bishops have placed in me by choosing me to serve as president of our episcopal conference. When I became a bishop I chose as my episcopal motto, “Duc in altum,” or “Put Out into the Deep.”
Once again, the Lord is inviting me to put out…
— Archbishop Paul S. Coakley (@ArchbishopOKC) November 11, 2025
“Once again, the Lord is inviting me to put out into deep waters,” he wrote, asking for prayers that he remain a “faithful steward” in communion with Pope Leo XIV.
Coakley emerged from the conservative half of the 10-candidate field, which included Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester and Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, both members of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, according to the AP.