Oakland Bishop, Noted Prop 8 Backer, Replaces Former Utahn Niederauer in San Francisco

By Sean Maher
Salt Lake Tribune
July 27, 2012

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/54575276-80/cordileone-marriage-san-abuse.html.csp

(Steve Griffin | Tribune file photo) Bishop George Niederauer prays during his farewell mass at The Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City on Feb. 5, 2006.

San Francisco • Oakland’s bishop, Rev. Salvatore Cordileone, will become the archbishop of San Francisco, making him perhaps the highest profile opponent of same-sex marriage in a city renowned for its support for gay rights.

Cordileone, 56, was appointed to the new job by Pope Benedict XVI to replace retiring Archbishop George Niederauer.

A San Diego native, Cordileone was installed as Oakland’s bishop in May, 2009. His time in the East Bay "has given him a deep understanding of the radically diverse cultural composition of the Bay Area and a dedication to multicultural ministry," church spokesman George Wesolek said.

At a news conference Friday morning at St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco, Cordileone accepted the position with a speech he repeated in English and Spanish.

"The cultural diversity in San Francisco is a strength and a challenge," he said, adding that he hopes to understand both aspects better as he works to "learn the lay of the land" in his new parish.

Cordileone has been a noted proponent of Proposition 8, the 2008 law passed by California voters to outlaw same-sex marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide in October whether it will hear arguments on the controversial law, which in 2010 was struck down as unconstitutional by a lower court.

Cordileone is also chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.

Asked at the conference for his stance about Prop. 8 and priest abuse, he replied, "I’m for marriage and against abuse."

He added, "Marriage can only come about through the embrace of a man and a woman coming together. I don’t see how that is discriminatory against anyone."

Cordileone said he knows people with non-heterosexual orientations "can feel alienated from the church. We need to continue to learn how to be welcoming. Our stand for marriage is not against anyone, but it’s because we believe this is foundational to our society."

Speaking about the priest abuse controversy, he said, "Our church suffered shame at the sexual abuse of children," but added he feels the church has made significant progress tackling the problem and he hopes to continue doing so.

He also emphasized a need to focus on immigration and the immigrant community. He praised President Barack Obama’s recent executive order allowing youths who entered the U.S. illegally as children to remain in the country, calling on Congress to follow up with legislative reform.

Cordileone is scheduled to be installed as archbishop on Oct. 4.