Coadjutor Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, who will succeed
Cardinal Roger Mahony as archbishop on February 27, is being described
as “very open and understanding,” “willing to hear and learn and
understand,” and “very responsive and very affirming” by Los Angeles
clergy who fear he may take the United States’ largest diocese in a more
“conservative” direction.
“I’m as conservative as Pope John Paul II or Pope Benedict,” Archbishop Gomez, who was ordained a priest of Opus Dei, told the Los Angeles Times.
“Opus Dei, before the Second Vatican Council, was the most liberal
organization in the Catholic Church, because it talked about the
participation of the lay faithful. That was not normal at that time. And
then, somehow, after the Second Vatican Council, it became one of the
most conservative organizations in the Church. You know, those terms
don’t really apply to the Gospel.”
“I’m totally committed to the issue of immigration,” he stated. “I'm
also committed to the culture of life. So in political terms, those are
things that are on the opposite sides sometimes, but the Church is
richer than those political labels.”
“I think [local Catholics] are looking for ... continuity,” he added.
“You know, change is always difficult … so they’re happy that I'm trying
to continue the ministry of the cardinal. But I also notice that — and I
think the cardinal would probably agree with me — that people need
hope, and spiritual leadership.”