September 06, 2005

Oakland bishop reflects on two years

OAKLAND (CA)
Contra Costa Times

By Randy Myers
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

OAKLAND - Bishop Allen Vigneron faced enormous and complex challenges during his first two years heading the Oakland Diocese.

He confronted 56 sexual abuse lawsuits that not only stained the 43-year-old diocese's reputation but also questioned the veracity of its former leaders.

He vigorously sought financial and emotional backing for building a distinctively designed $131-million cathedral near Lake Merritt in Oakland.

He united the faithful in prayer as a beloved and long-ailing pope entered the final stages of his life in April. Soon after he asked parishioners to join together again and pray for a successor.

As spiritual leader of the East Bay's more than half-million Catholics, Vigneron inherited a diverse slate of issues that showed the church at its best and its worst. He took over for Bishop John Cummins on Oct. 1, 2003.

Posted by kshaw at September 6, 2005 07:43 AM