Archbishop Jose Gomez of San Antonio has been named to lead the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
He sounds like a great choice to lead the nation's largest Archdiocese. He's young (58), was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and has a long affiliation with Opus Dei.
The LA Times blog says:
"If his personal history is any guide, he also could be expected to lead the Los Angeles church along a more traditional — some would say conservative — path than Mahony, known as one of the most progressive archbishops in the country and an impassioned fighter for immigrants’ rights."
Archbishop Gomez on the life issues:
Abortion:
"Noting that “culture of life” issues are often “dismissed as purely religious issues,” he charged that this characterization is “inaccurate.”
“These issues deal with the most fundamental concerns of human civilization,” the archbishop explained. “The strong moral teaching at the foundation of these issues does not disqualify them from deserving serious public discussion, nor deny the impact they have on the common good.”
The labeling of abortion opponents as “one issue” voters, he argued, might keep people from confronting the “moral gravity” of taking an innocent human life.
The label “also avoids the reality that abortion is an issue that affects all segments of our society,” Archbishop Gomez continued, saying that the right to life is the “primary right” guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence.
“Unless we protect this fundamental right of each human person, at all stages of life, no other issue or liberty matters,” he stated.
On Obama's visit to Notre Dame:
Writing to Notre Dame's Bishop John D'Arcy from the Texas diocese of San Antonio, Bishop José Gomez and auxiliary bishop Oscar Cantú said in a March 31 letter that they were "saddened by the circumstances that made you decide not to attend" commencement ceremonies, and expressed "total support" of the bishop's action and motives.
"President Obama has made it clear that his policies on abortion and the general protection of innocent life are in dramatic opposition to the teachings of the Catholic Church," wrote the bishops. "At this critical time we cannot afford to send an ambiguous message to the leaders of our people."
On Nancy Pelosi, theologian:
"In the course of a “Meet the Press” interview on abortion and other public issues on August 24, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi misrepresented the history and nature of the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church against abortion.
In fact, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law." (No. 2271)
In the Middle Ages, uninformed and inadequate theories about embryology led some theologians to speculate that specifically human life capable of receiving an immortal soul may not exist until a few weeks into pregnancy. While in canon law these theories led to a distinction in penalties between very early and later abortions, the Church’s moral teaching never justified or permitted abortion at any stage of development.
These mistaken biological theories became obsolete over 150 years ago when scientists discovered that a new human individual comes into being from the union of sperm and egg at fertilization. In keeping with this modern understanding, the Church teaches that from the time of conception (fertilization), each member of the human species must be given the full respect due to a human person, beginning with respect for the fundamental right to life."
On the Traditional Latin Mass:
"Archbishop Gomez sent a letter to every parish in the city informing them of his decision to have the local, former "indult" TLM community move from its former place in a tiny chapel behind a nursing home to one of the biggest parishes in the city. The attendance was estimated at 450 people, and the comments the people made afterward were overwhelmingly positive."
His Excellency also made a video in Spanish for the USCCB in defense of marriage. It is here.
He sounds like a great choice to lead the nation's largest Archdiocese. He's young (58), was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and has a long affiliation with Opus Dei.
The LA Times blog says:
"If his personal history is any guide, he also could be expected to lead the Los Angeles church along a more traditional — some would say conservative — path than Mahony, known as one of the most progressive archbishops in the country and an impassioned fighter for immigrants’ rights."
Archbishop Gomez on the life issues:
Abortion:
"Noting that “culture of life” issues are often “dismissed as purely religious issues,” he charged that this characterization is “inaccurate.”
“These issues deal with the most fundamental concerns of human civilization,” the archbishop explained. “The strong moral teaching at the foundation of these issues does not disqualify them from deserving serious public discussion, nor deny the impact they have on the common good.”
The labeling of abortion opponents as “one issue” voters, he argued, might keep people from confronting the “moral gravity” of taking an innocent human life.
The label “also avoids the reality that abortion is an issue that affects all segments of our society,” Archbishop Gomez continued, saying that the right to life is the “primary right” guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence.
“Unless we protect this fundamental right of each human person, at all stages of life, no other issue or liberty matters,” he stated.
On Obama's visit to Notre Dame:
Writing to Notre Dame's Bishop John D'Arcy from the Texas diocese of San Antonio, Bishop José Gomez and auxiliary bishop Oscar Cantú said in a March 31 letter that they were "saddened by the circumstances that made you decide not to attend" commencement ceremonies, and expressed "total support" of the bishop's action and motives.
"President Obama has made it clear that his policies on abortion and the general protection of innocent life are in dramatic opposition to the teachings of the Catholic Church," wrote the bishops. "At this critical time we cannot afford to send an ambiguous message to the leaders of our people."
On Nancy Pelosi, theologian:
"In the course of a “Meet the Press” interview on abortion and other public issues on August 24, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi misrepresented the history and nature of the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church against abortion.
In fact, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law." (No. 2271)
In the Middle Ages, uninformed and inadequate theories about embryology led some theologians to speculate that specifically human life capable of receiving an immortal soul may not exist until a few weeks into pregnancy. While in canon law these theories led to a distinction in penalties between very early and later abortions, the Church’s moral teaching never justified or permitted abortion at any stage of development.
These mistaken biological theories became obsolete over 150 years ago when scientists discovered that a new human individual comes into being from the union of sperm and egg at fertilization. In keeping with this modern understanding, the Church teaches that from the time of conception (fertilization), each member of the human species must be given the full respect due to a human person, beginning with respect for the fundamental right to life."
On the Traditional Latin Mass:
"Archbishop Gomez sent a letter to every parish in the city informing them of his decision to have the local, former "indult" TLM community move from its former place in a tiny chapel behind a nursing home to one of the biggest parishes in the city. The attendance was estimated at 450 people, and the comments the people made afterward were overwhelmingly positive."
His Excellency also made a video in Spanish for the USCCB in defense of marriage. It is here.
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