Archbishop Gomez says he’s ‘as conservative as Pope Benedict’
February 14, 2011
Coadjutor Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, who will succeed Cardinal Roger Mahony as archbishop on February 27, is being described as “very open and understanding,” “willing to hear and learn and understand,” and “very responsive and very affirming” by Los Angeles clergy who fear he may take the United States’ largest diocese in a more “conservative” direction.
“I’m as conservative as Pope John Paul II or Pope Benedict,” Archbishop Gomez, who was ordained a priest of Opus Dei, told the Los Angeles Times. “Opus Dei, before the Second Vatican Council, was the most liberal organization in the Catholic Church, because it talked about the participation of the lay faithful. That was not normal at that time. And then, somehow, after the Second Vatican Council, it became one of the most conservative organizations in the Church. You know, those terms don’t really apply to the Gospel.”
“I’m totally committed to the issue of immigration,” he stated. “I'm also committed to the culture of life. So in political terms, those are things that are on the opposite sides sometimes, but the Church is richer than those political labels.”
“I think [local Catholics] are looking for ... continuity,” he added. “You know, change is always difficult … so they’re happy that I'm trying to continue the ministry of the cardinal. But I also notice that — and I think the cardinal would probably agree with me — that people need hope, and spiritual leadership.”
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Posted by: impossible -
Feb. 15, 2011 5:06 PM ET USA
Like Obama he has dexterity with words. One can hope that's where the similarity ends. Time, words, silence and behavior will eventually tell us what he really is. He tells us how conservative he is and then tells us, accurately, that the term does not apply to the gospel. Nor does it apply to theology and obedience to the Magisterium. Continuity? Continuing the "ministry" of his predecessor? Hmmmmmm!
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Posted by: Obregon -
Feb. 14, 2011 11:12 PM ET USA
Archbishop Gómez said, "I'm trying to continue the ministry of the cardinal." which is a ministry of total failure and the support of a dissenting crowd that has made this Archdiocese the Mecca of dissenting Catholics in the United States! I hope the new Archbishop does better!
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Posted by: DrJazz -
Feb. 14, 2011 7:42 AM ET USA
T minus 13 days and counting.
