From the inner sanctum of church-politics.
The announcement that Archbishop José Gomez was to become the coadjutor Bishop of Los Angeles has enlivened many that a Hispanic Bishop was named to LA. At the same time, others are cautious because Archbishop Gomez is a priest of Opus Dei.
The present LA Archbishop, Cardinal Roger Mahony, blogs about that today:
Some may conclude that since Archbishop Gomez was ordained a priest of Opus Dei he must be “conservative.” In fact, these labels of “conservative” and “liberal” are really unhelpful in the life of the Church. We are all called to a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, and I can attest that both of us share a common commitment to Christ and to the Church, and that both of us are interested in promoting the teachings of the Church fully as well as bringing the words and example of Christ to today’s society and world. I consider ourselves to share an equal commitment to the continued growth of the Church here in Los Angeles.
Agreed. I’ve known a few people who are part of Opus Dei and while it’s not something that I feel called to, I can see how the rigor and style of prayer that Opus Dei provides to lay people can be helpful to some who need that kind of prayer life to stay on the straight and narrow. By the same token, I can see how that might be unhelpful to those who might need a different approach.
Rather than criticize styles of prayer, perhaps we’d be better served by praying in our own ways for the new Archbishop and for all those who seek Christ and serve Christ with a humble heart today.
Here is the Archbishop with Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston who undoubtedly will serve as a huge advisor to the new Archbishop.