SAN FRANCISCO (CA)
San Francisco Chronicle
Julian Guthrie, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, August 8, 2005
Thousands of the faithful filled St. Mary's Cathedral on Sunday to hear the last Mass offered in San Francisco by Archbishop William Levada before he becomes the highest-ranking American in Vatican history.
Levada, a fourth-generation Californian appointed to the San Francisco post 10 years ago in October, plans to resign Aug. 17. He will be in charge of resolving questions around faith and morals for the world's 1.1 billion Catholics.
Levada's farewell celebration at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption was marked by the adoration of hundreds who waited in long lines for a brief individual blessing from Levada. In his homily, Levada spoke lovingly about San Francisco, from its poorest residents to those with the most.
The occasion was tempered by a silent vigil for those who have been abused by priests. Dozens of protesters, standing in a long line in front of the church on Geary Boulevard, wore T-shirts that read, "It's a Sin. Stop the Coverup."