Chief is honored

A former Huntington Beach police chief has been honored for his dedication to the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI.

At a candle-lit, standing-room-only ceremony Friday at the San Juan Capistrano Mission Basilica, Ron Lowenberg and other designees received the Benemerenti Medal from Bishop Tod Brown for their servant leadership in the Diocese of Orange.

“Everyone honored tonight really represents almost countless others, both clergy and lay, that work so hard here to continue to build up the kingdom of God,” Brown said.

Lowenberg is a longtime volunteer at Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church, where he has been involved in the youth ministry and pastoral council. He currently serves on the finance council and is the safety and security advisor. Within the diocese, Lowenberg has been involved in the marriage preparation ministry, and he is involved with Mater Dei High School boys’ basketball.

Lowenberg retired from the Huntington Beach Police Department in 2002, after 13 years as its chief. He previously served as chief of the Cypress Police Department, where he got his start as an officer, and as a captain for the Tustin Police Department.

He also is the past president of the state and county chiefs’ associations, and serves after being appointed by the governor to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.

Today, Lowenberg is the dean and director of the Criminal Justice Training Center at Golden West College, where he received his associate’s degree in criminal justice.

He also has chaired the diocese’s Sexual Misconduct Oversight and Review Board (SMORB) for the past three years.

“The Chancellor for the Diocese called me several months ago to tell me that the Vatican had favorably accepted Bishop Brown’s nomination for me to receive the medal,” Lowenberg said. “I sincerely believe the Bishop is very appreciative of the very difficult and sensitive work and council he has received from the SMORB. As chair I have had the privilege of representing the board, thus the Diocese and the Bishop, before the National Council of American Bishops SMORB Audit Teams that visits the Diocese annually. The audit team always has high praise for our work.”

Lowenberg found it difficult to describe his thoughts on the evening at the Basilica. “I was so moved spiritually by the prayer service, the beautiful Basilica, the music, prayer, bishop’s homily, the reading of the Pope’s Conferral of Honors, etc.,” he said. “I was also so pleased that many members of my family, numerous friends and staff from Golden West College were able to share the evening with me.”

In the future, Lowenberg hopes to continue serving the Church and the Criminal Justice Training Center, while enjoying his family — including Kitty, his wife of 43 years, his six adult children, 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“To be Catholic is to be profoundly aware that we never live our faith alone,” said Fr. Art Holquin, who heads the Basilica. He also received honors from the pope.

Reporter CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (714) 966-4631 or at candice.baker@latimes.com.