By Jennie Rodriguez
The Record
December 6, 2010
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101206/A_NEWS/12060310/-1/NEWSMAP
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| A statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe is carried Sunday by parishioners from Sacred Heart Church of Hughson. |
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| Cardinal Roger Mahony, left, and Stockton Bishop Stephen Blaire watch during Sunday’s procession. |
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| Neddy Guzman, 16, portrays the Virgin of Guadalupe on the St. Linus’ Church float Sunday in the Stockton Diocese’s annual Our Lady of Guadalupe procession in downtown Stockton. |
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| Sisters Maria, 15, left, and Julisa Solorio, 13, of Ceres prepare to participate as Aztec dancers for St. Jude’s Church in the Stockton Diocese’s annual Our Lady of Guadalupe procession. |
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| Aztec dancers from St. Linus' Church participate in the Diocese of Stockton's 30th annual Our Lady of Guadalupe procession in downtown Stockton. |
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| Tim Lennon with the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests hands out fliers protesting Mahony's presence at the Stockton event. |
STOCKTON - Thousands of Latino Catholics gathered Sunday in downtown Stockton to honor their most beloved mother, the Virgin Mary.
Presided over this year by Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles and former bishop of the Diocese of Stockton, the event was a festive occasion for an estimated 10,000 people - with the exception of a few protesters who objected to Mahony's presence, blaming him for having protected priests accused of child molestation.
The Our Lady of Guadalupe procession and Mass are a centuries-old Latino practice. Mahony is credited with bringing the tradition to Stockton about 30 years ago.
According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to an indigenous Mexican man, Juan Diego, in 1531. Devotion to the Virgin is widespread among Latinos as a result of that account.
On Sunday, the streets of downtown Stockton were brought to life with dancers in Aztec costumes, and homemade floats that carried regional Mexican bands and scenes of Our Lady of Guadalupe. While a cool breeze blew, the sounds of trumpets and drums could be heard from a distance.
Vendors selling churros, other Mexican treats and rosary beads catered to spectators.
Watching the parade pass, 45-year-old Jesus Sanchez was filled with nostalgia as he remembered how the holiday is observed in Mexico.
"I feel happy to see this beautiful homage," said Sanchez, a native of Colima, Mexico, "so people here in the United States can also experience our traditions."
So faithful is Sanchez that he has an altar at home dedicated to St. Mary. He, his wife and their children light candles and pray at the altar. "For me, she is the holiest mother," Sanchez said.
Gabriela Escalera of Stockton gazed at the passing parade wearing braided hair, a shawl, sandals and a traditional white Mexican peasant dress. Her 7-year-old daughter, Janet, was also in costume.
"These are our roots," Escalera, 31, said in Spanish. "One wants for their children to follow the same customs."
Followers believe the Virgin delivers miracles. Escalera said her family prays to the Virgin every time someone is ill.
"We know she helps us," she said.
Amid the festivities Sunday was a small disapproving group who felt Mahony should not have been recognized in such an important event.
A few demonstrators with the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests stood outside Stockton Arena, where Mass was celebrated after the parade, handing out fliers and blaming the cardinal of covering up child abuse at the hands of priests, including former Lodi priest Oliver O'Grady.
The 2006 Academy Award-nominated documentary film "Deliver Us From Evil" deals with Mahony's decisions to reassign O'Grady after learning of his conduct.
One of O'Grady's victims, Nancy Sloan, was among the protesters Sunday.
"I have a hard time with the people's adoration for Mahony," said Sloan, 45. "I look at all these kids today. Children have the right to be protected."
Sloan said she was 10 and 11 years old when she was molested by O'Grady at a church camp when he served in Lodi.
"All those children could have been saved had the church done the right thing from the very beginning," Sloan said.
About three years ago, Mahony and the Roman Catholic Church in Los Angeles apologized for abuses involving priests after 508 victims won a record-breaking $660 million settlement.
The group is asking for three things from Stockton's current bishop, Stephen Blaire: to stop inviting church leaders associated with sexual molestation; to list on the diocese's website the names of all priests accused of sexual abuse; and to reach out to potential victims of Patrick Joseph McCabe, a former Stockton priest who is awaiting extradition to Ireland on sexual abuse charges.
At the arena, some stopped to talk to the demonstrators, while many remained focused on the event.
Lizeth Guerrero of Stockton crumpled the flier she was handed as she walked into Mass.
"Everybody has the right to say what they want, but I don't think right now it's appropriate," said Guerrero, 27. "I'm here for the procession and Mass. It's the day we honor the Virgin of Guadalupe."
Contact reporter Jennie Rodriguez at (209) 943-8564 or jrodriguez@recordnet.com.
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