John Stephen Cummins (born March 3, 1928) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Oakland in California from 1977 to 2003 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento in California from 1974 to 1977. Biography Early life and education John Cummins was born on March 3, 1928, in Berkeley, California to Michael and Mary (née Connolly) Cummins, Irish immigrants. His brother Bernard Cummins was a priest who served as superintendent of schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. John Cummins received his primary education at St. Augustine Parish School in Oakland. In 1941, he began his studies for the priesthood at St. Joseph's College Seminary in Mountain View, California, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947 In 1947, he entered St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, California, earning a Master of Divinity degree in 1953. Cummins later worked on graduate studies in history at the University of California, Berkeley. Priesthood On January 24, 1953, Cummins was ordained a priest by Bishop Hugh Donohoe at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco. Cummins' first assignment was as a curate at Mission Dolores Basilica in San Francisco, where he remained for four years. He also served as chaplain at the Newman Centre of San Francisco State University and at Mills College. In 1957, Cummins started teaching at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, staying there until 1962, when he became chancellor of the Diocese of Oakland. He was named a domestic prelate by the Vatican in 1963. In addition to his duties as chancellor, Cummins coordinated the Social Justice and Ecumenical Commissions, and oversaw the diocesan insurance program. He also served as the diocesan liaison to the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, the Franciscan School of Theology in Oceanside, California., and the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. Cummins continued to serve as chancellor until 1971, when he was named executive director of the California Catholic Conference. In that capacity, he channeled the functions of the conference by providing liaison with state departments and with the California State Legislature, disseminating information to Catholic associations and organizations and to other state conferences and the United States Catholic Conference (USCCB) and coordinating interdiocesan activities in the areas of education and welfare. Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento On February 26, 1974,