More than 4,000 churchgoers sang a heartfelt
"Happy Birthday," to Cardinal Roger Mahony on Sunday, just minutes after
he officially stepped down from leading the largest Roman Catholic
Archdiocese in the nation to transfer his pastoral leadership to Los
Angeles' first Latino archbishop.
The birthday wishes inside downtown's overflowing Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels came during an historic Mass service that officially marked the Cardinal's retirement and the installation of Archbishop Jose H. Gomez.
Mahony, who turned 75 on Sunday, kept the
ceremony of transition lighthearted in spirit yet steeped in ancient
traditions.
After a brief homily, Mahony offered Gomez his grand wooden chair known officially as a cathedra, crafted out of pieces of wood from all over the world to symbolize Los Angeles' diversity.
From this
cathedra, which sits near the altar, a bishop must fulfill his role of
sanctity, teaching, and governing, Mahony said.
Hanging from the top arch of the cathedra was Mahony's coat of arms, which had been in place for 25 years.
Each bishop chooses the
symbols and motto for his coat of arms.
Mahony's included images of the
scales of justice, a basket of red to symbolize charity, and grapes and
wheat, to signify the wine and bread of the Eucharist.
His chosen motto
was: To reconcile God's People."
As part of the transition, Mahony's coat of arms was taken down and replaced with Gomez's, which included his chosen motto: "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Mahony then shook Gomez's hand and offered him his crozier, a
golden pastoral staff that symbolizes the archbishop's leadership over
more than 5 million Catholics.
"It is a big chair," Gomez said of the cathedra, to applause and laughter. "It has such wide arms."
In his own homily, Gomez thanked Mahony in both English and Spanish, and praised the cardinal for his 25 years of service to the Archdiocese.
"Cardinal Mahony's legacy is a church that radiates ... where love gathers," Gomez said. "He has inspired us to open our hearts to find God. Personally, I'm inspired by his love of the immigrants and for welcoming the strangers in our midst."
Gomez, previously archbishop in San Antonio, said he had much to learn about his new home, but could now officially root for the Lakers.
"I have learned a lot, especially how much there is to learn," Gomez joked of the complexity of the position. "I am very, very happy to be here in Los Angeles. L.A. is my home now."
Those who attended the service had come from all over Southern California, skipping Masses at their own local parishes to witness the transition.
Many expressed similar themes, including a feeling of
renewal for the church and hope in Gomez's ability to unite the
Catholics of Los Angeles, where services are held in 42 different
languages.
Gomez, a Monterrey, Mexico-born priest, also is seen as a new
local voice in the ongoing illegal immigration debate.
"I really hope he will bring our community together," said Jorge Ellingworth, 55, who usually attends Mass in Pasadena. "I hope he will rebuild and rekindle the spirit of the church, especially Latinos."
After Mass, parishioners stood in long lines outside the Cathedral, where Mahony and Gomez greeted each one.
Some kissed each
man's hand, or posed with them for photographs. Many thanked Mahony and
wished him well.
He was expected to leave for Rome today, then return to
Los Angeles to assume duties as a regular priest.
While he was given a heartfelt welcome, Gomez also comes to Los Angeles as the Archdiocese tries to put the clergy sex abuse scandal in the past.
Many said while the scandal casts a shadow over Mahony's
legacy, the Cardinal's leadership in building the Massive Cathedral as
well as his work in helping immigrants should not be forgotten.
In 2007, Mahony apologized to more than 500 alleged victims and agreed to a $660 million settlement.
"Mahony has had a lot to deal with a lot," said Eric Tenorio, 19.
"He did extremely well in keeping together the idea of the Catholic church."
"He was a good role model," agreed Teresa Tenorio, Eric's mother.
Henry Custodia said his three sons, 8, 6 and 2, were baptized at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Custodia stood in line to take a photograph with Gomez and to welcome the new archbishop.
"We came especially to see this," Custodia said. "I just hope there now is acceptance. There is too much division among all religions. I feel we all need religion, especially these days."
Nellie Davison, a youth minister who drove to L.A. from San Bernardino with 10 members of her youth group to see the transition ceremony, said said while traces of the sex abuse scandals remain, it was important to remember the victims but also embrace the future.
"The Catholic church is about renewal," she said. "My hope is that a lot of good will happen."