SAN FRANCISCO (CA)
San Francisco Chronicle
Don Lattin, Chronicle Religion Writer
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
San Francisco Archbishop William Levada is the new pope's leading candidate to become the chief doctrinal watchdog for the 1.1 billion member Roman Catholic Church, according to Vatican sources and several media reports.
The Chronicle reported on May 4, the day after Levada became the first U. S. bishop to have a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI , that the pontiff was considering the San Francisco prelate for the head of the Vatican Congregation to the Doctrine of the Faith.
Now, Time magazine reports on its Web site that a "senior Vatican official" says the Levada appointment is "a done deal." ...
Palmo noted that Levada has extensive experience dealing with the sexual abuse scandal in the U.S. church.
"He has on-the-ground experience in the United States," Palmo said. "That is priceless."
The Levada appointment, if confirmed, would have a major impact on the Catholic Church in the United States and the Bay Area.
For years, many American Catholics have complained that the Vatican does not understand the 65 million-member U.S. church.