'The Magnificent Seven' Capital diocese to ordain its largest group of priests in decades

Sacramento Bee ^ | June 29, 2007 | Jennifer Garza

[siunevada]

They have been called "The Magnificent Seven," a reflection of the size of the group and their significance to the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento.

These men make up the largest number of new priests to be ordained here in more than four decades -- and among the most by any diocese in the country this year.

This morning, they will don the vestments that symbolize their commitment to the church in an elaborate ordination ceremony and celebration at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

They trained to be priests in the midst of the recent turmoils of the Catholic Church. Several entered seminary in 2002 -- the year the national clergy sexual abuse scandal erupted. Accusations and costly settlements stained the church.

But the calling for these men -- Matthew Blank, Chris Frazer, Giovanni Gamas, Derek LaBranch, Uriel Ojeda, Jovito Rata, and George Snyder Jr.-- rose above this acrimony.

Now, after years of training and more rigorous screening than priests of previous generations, the seven will prostrate themselves at the cathedral and begin a new life as the church enters a new era.

"All the troubles of recent years made them examine if this is what they really want, and they do," said Bishop William K. Weigand, spiritual leader of the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. "They're going into this with their eyes wide open. They're an exceptional group."

[siunevada]

Sacramento Bee demands excerpting. The story was on the front page of the print edition.

[Macoraba]

I have no respect for Bishop Wiegand. He replaced the ultra liberal Francis Quinn. This took place back before the Vatican gave approval for female altar servers. Nonetheless their use was almost everywhere in the Sacramento diocese.

So when Wiegand became the new Bishop I had several friends who made an appointment to see him and ask him to put a stop to this abuse (female altar servers). Now remember this was BEFORE the Vatican gave permission.

And he refused to put an end to it. I lost all respect for the man at that time!