Condescending editorial, mean-spirited column greet Archbishop Gomez in Los Angeles

April 07, 2010

In its editorial on Archbishop José Gomez’s appointment as Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times says it would be “comforting” if the archbishop does not call upon pro-abortion politicians to refrain from receiving Holy Communion.

“One question is whether this appointment signals a more confrontational style of leadership,” the editorial states. “For example, [Cardinal Roger] Mahony has refrained from joining some conservative bishops in calling on pro-choice Catholic politicians not to take Holy Communion. It would be comforting if Gomez emulated his predecessor's circumspection.”

Accompanying the editorial were two critical op-ed columns, one of them particularly mean spirited.

“By the way, Archbishop, I'd like to hear more about your history with Opus Dei, the conservative element in the church that believes in, among other things, mortification of the flesh,” writes Steve Lopez. “I'm no theologian, but if self-inflicted pain extends to denial of normal physical urges, couldn't that practice -- and celibacy itself -- be one cause of so much twisted sexuality and abuse over the last several hundred years or so?”

 

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Further information:

• Editorial: A cardinal in training (Los Angeles Times)
• Steve Lopez: Welcome to L.A., Archbishop Jose Gomez (Los Angeles Times)
• Tim Rutten: Cardinal Mahony's successor is a risky choice (Los Angeles Times)
• Archbishop Gomez to succeed Cardinal Mahony in Los Angeles (CWN, 4/6)