The Vicar General aids the Bishop in the overall administration and governance of the diocese. He exercises the Bishop’s ordinary executive authority over the entire diocese with the exception of any authority the Bishop or the law of the Church excludes. In the overall functioning of the diocese the Vicar General acts as a kind of Chief Operating Officer. In the Diocese of Oakland he assists in the conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
In April 2012, Father Mockel accompanied then Bishop Cordileone and Father Kenneth Nobrega to Rome for the Ad Limina visit. Read his daily refections and view photographs on the Catholic Voice website.
In May 2013, Father Mockel made a pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Order of Malta. Read his daily reflections and view photographs on the Catholic Voice website.
In April 2014, Father Mockel visited the Dioceses of Hai Phong and Saigon together with Bishop Barber. Read his daily reflections and view photographs on the Catholic Voice website.
In September 2015, Father Mockel attended the Holy Father's Papal Visit to Philadelphia and Washington D.C.. Read his daily reflections and view photographs on the Catholic Voice website.