By Deacon Keith Fournier
Catholic Online
April 6, 2010
http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=36057
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| Archbishop Jose H. Gomez. |
We have been following what began as rumors and evolved into reliable sources just this past week. Now, it is official. A Co-Adjutor Archbishop has been appointed to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, a move which will have huge implications not only for L.A. but for the Church in the United States. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez is highly regarded for his theological orthodoxy, his warm, pastoral heart and his teaching gift. He is a long time proponent of the "New Evangelization" advocated by the Venerable Pope John Paul II, to whom he has had a long and deep devotion.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - We have been following what began as rumors and evolved into reliable sources just this past week. Now, it is official. A Co-Adjutor Archbishop has been appointed to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, a move which will have huge implications not only for Los Angeles but for the Church in the United States and the American continent. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez is highly regarded for his theological orthodoxy, his warm pastoral heart and his teaching gifts. His selection is another example of the astute leadership of Pope Benedict XVI.
He is a long time proponent of the "New Evangelization" advocated by the Venerable Pope John Paul II, to whom he has had a long and deep devotion. In fact, his marvelous letter entitled "You will Be My Witnesses" is one of the best statements on the Call to the New Evangelization available.He is also a passionate advocate for the poor and the Social Justice Teaching of the Catholic Church, properly understood.
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, a Hispanic Catholic , is beloved by many, many people. He is, in a special way, loved within the Hispanic community. He has an abiding friendship with the Archbishop of Mexico City. He was born in Monterrey, Mexico. He is the only "Numerary" (full member) of the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei currently serving in episcopal office. He was ordained a priest for Opus Dei in 1978.
He first served as an auxiliary Bishop to Archbishop Charles Chaput in Denver. Archbishop Chaput is also beloved by many and, like Archbishop Gomez, he is known as a dynamically orthodox Bishop. Then, Archbishop Gomez was sent to San Antonio where he has served with extraordinary distinction. Time Magazine named the Bishop one of the most influential Hispanic leaders in America.
We will have much more to say concerning the extraordinary appointment of Archbishop Gomez. His leadership in Los Angeles has huge implications. He is certainly slated for a Cardinal's hat. For now, we present the Press Release of the Archdioces of Los Angeles:
POPE APPOINTS COADJUTOR ARCHBISHOP FOR LOS ANGELES
Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of San Antonio, Texas, as Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles. The appointment was announced today, April 6, in Washington, D.C., by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
As Coadjutor, Archbishop Gomez, 58, will automatically become head of the three-county Archdiocese of Los Angeles upon Cardinal Roger Mahony?s retirement at age 75 on February, 27, 2011. A Mass of Reception for Archbishop Gomez is scheduled for May 26.
Cardinal Roger Mahony will introduce Archbishop Gomez today, Tuesday, April 6 at a 10 a.m. press conference inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Officially credentialed members of the media are invited to attend the press conference.
"I welcome Archbishop Gomez to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles with enthusiasm and personal excitement," said Cardinal Mahony. "The Auxiliary Bishops and I are looking forward to working closely with him over the coming months until he becomes the Archbishop early in 2011."
Born in Monterrey, Mexico, and spending his early priesthood in Texas, Archbishop Gomez will become the first Hispanic Archbishop of Los Angeles. When he succeeds Cardinal Mahony in 2011, Archbishop Gomez will head the largest Catholic Archdiocese in the United States, with more than five million members, 70 percent of them Hispanic.
?I?m very grateful to the Holy Father for giving me this opportunity to serve the Church with a mentor and leader like Cardinal Roger Mahony," Archbishop Gomez said. "I?m grateful to the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, for supporting the Holy Father?s confidence in me. I will try with all my strength to earn that trust."
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