My thoughts on the new Archbishop of Los Angeles

Let me welcome Archbishop Gomez to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as announced today by VIS and CNA

My thoughts are as follows:

a. The Church in LA as a whole lacks catechesis especially with the Latino community on the basics of our Faith. That is to say many think it’s just a cultural thing, you come for Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Funeral, Christmas, Easter, and that’s it. As I’ve been reading on his writings and profile, I noticed that he was apart of the Spanish Language Bible Commission. I think this is a major plus for the population here in LA. I hope that the new archbishop will put time into this area of catechising the Faithful on the Faith. For many years people have been taught a version of the Faith that is far from Catholic.

b. The fact that he’s a Latino is a plus for the near 70% Latino population that we have here. I hope that as result of this situation that this will invite more people to get their butts to Mass on the other Sundays in the year besides Christmas and Easter. He’s conservative and teaches the Catholic Faith as I’ve read from his homilies via his website. I don’t know if anyone from San Antonio, TX reads my pathetic excuse for a blog, but if they want to chime in with their experiences with the Archbishop, I’d love to hear from you.

c. The immigration system is broken, from what I hear and have had the chance to read, the position of the Archbishop is that illegals should be punished, but not by deportation. Which I personally can side with. I do know people who are in this situation and have done many good things for the society. There are tons of myths about immigration, (and also tons about Catholic teaching on immigration, the Church teaching does NOT support amnesty for all illegals, sorry). which I’ll take time to go over one of these days. But the fact that he is pro some type of reform shouldn’t tick off too many people from the left.

d. Vocations in his diocese are at higher levels than they were before he arrived. He seems to place an emphasis on formation of priests and that’s a good thing. I hope that he will open a minor seminary to help with the vocations crisis. Some of his diocesan priests say the TLM, which means there will no longer be a barrier preventing priests from saying the TLM (there’s been a de facto suppression of the TLM by diocesan priests in LA (the only priests that say TLM’s in Los Angeles are Religious priests), I for one look forward to this. I hope that he’s able to put a TLM in every deanery to give better access to the TLM. He doesn’t seem that he’s going to obstruct the TLM, which is good for the Faithful that are attached to the TLM.

e. I did have the chance to watch the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass shown on EWTN from the wreckovated Cathedral of San Fernando (I’m guessing that he did not order the wreckovation of the Cathedral), and Mass was offered reverently and by the books. I hope that he’s able to bring order to Liturgy around Los Angeles, especially the pouring of the Precious Blood after the Consecration in many parishes. Also kneeling after the Agnus Dei I hope will be restored here in Los Angeles too. (I know there are still a couple parishes that still do, including my own)

f. From reading his homilies, they’re very orthodox and Catholic in nature. I hope that he’s able to bring reform to the REC, or flat out abolish it, whichever is easiest.

Effectively, the Pope with this appointment of Archbishop Gomez is saying to Cardinal Mahony, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Thanks for your time, go away and retire. I don’t agree with Cardinal Mahony on every issue, but I will definitely be praying for him as he prepares for his exit.

Thanks to Vincenzo for the photo: below

But you know something, I couldn’t help but think of this song…(I know corny, but I can’t help myself)

25 years of terror done, but be sure to pray for His Eminence and Archbishop Gomez as well 🙂