Los Angeles Getting a New Archbishop (Part 1)

SacredPage.com ^ | January 29, 2009 | Michae Barber

[Salvation]

Friday, January 29, 2010

Los Angeles Getting a New Archbishop (Part 1)

Catholic blogger Thomas Peters over at the American Papist has been posting (here, here, and here) that a coadjuter bishop has been appointed for Los Angeles. Rocco Palmo at Whispers in the Loggia has confirmed that something is imminent, reporting that the news will come around the cardinal's 74th birthday, February 27th. The coadjuter would of course become Cardinal Mahony's successor (for more on what Church law says about coadjutor bishops go here).

That an appointment has already been made was denied by the official diocesan spokesman, but either way everyone knows a new bishop is coming sooner or later. The cardinal reaches retirement age (=75) in 2011. In fact, Cardinal Mahony himself has announced on his own blog that this will be "my final full year as the Archbishop of Los Angeles". Thus whether or not an appointment has already been made, everyone knows a new bishop will be taking over in the next year or so. If, as the rumors suggest, a coadjutor bishop is going to be appointed, it would seem that it would happen soon.

Predictably, there is tremendous speculation about who the successor to Cardinal Mahony might be. A number of bloggers have picked up on the story, including Deacon Greg Kandra (Deacon's Bench) and Gene Maddaus at LA Weekly. Rumors are flying left and right.

To those outside the Catholic Church this might seem a little bizarre. But really, this kind of speculation is ancient. In fact, this kind of intrigue is just about as old as Christianity itself.

[Salvation]

**My guess is it’s going to be someone like Chaput out of Denver **

The dimocrats would not like that, would they?

[Desdemona]

I said like, not necessarily him. I do think, though, it'll be somebody from cities/MSAs, population wise, that are about 13-25 ranked. That's, like, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Tampa, San Diego, St. Louis, Denver, Seattle, Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, etc. (I can never remember #s 11-15 as we're 18 and it depends on whether or not you split out the Bay area.)

Anyway, I think this will be the case, specifically, because of the administrative experience needed, a certain amount of diplomatic knowledge and, to be perfectly honest, knowing how to deal with major donors are going to have to be in place before the successor is named. Whoever it is is stepping into a quagmire of hornets nests and it going to have to have intestinal fortitude that would give the rest of us heartburn.

[Desdemona]

The dimocrats would not like that, would they?

No, but I can't imagine him being coadjutor. I do think it's going to be somebody out of another "big" city, though.

[cookcounty]

"Rocco Palmo, "It's Official: It's Jamietime,"

Question: Was Jesse Jackson's "Jamie-town" comment anti-semitic AND anti-catholic?

[rbosque]

A reminder to all, Cardinal Mahony should still be given all due honor as a Bishop. I am in L.A. and I agree that he has had problems including that he is too liberal. But during a Mass, he gave me a blessing and I felt a transformation, something lifted from my shoulders. I really cannot explain it. However, I will say I hope the next one is more conservative.

[dalereed]

Can’t be any worse than that communist criminal harboring pile of crap that’s leaving!!!

[Notwithstanding]

Practically speaking, a reigning bishop becomes a figurehead as soon as the name of his coadjutor is known. While ceremonies will give deference to the bishop, in practice the actual decision-making is done by the coadjutor, and all those who work in the diocese understand that they have a new leader (the coadjutor) whose official installation as reigning bishop is simply a matter of time.

This appointment by the pope of a codajutor for LA is an extremely significant and strong public act of no confidence in Mahoney, and ensures the history of his episcopacy will remain forever marred by questionable doctrinal and pastoral actions.

[Desdemona]

Somewhere along the line in reading on all of this, I came across the coadjutor being Mahoney’s idea and the Holy See going along. Whichever, it will be interesting, including the possibility of that archdiocese being split up. We’ll just have to stay tuned.

[Salvation]

**This appointment by the pope of a codajutor for LA is an extremely significant and strong public act of no confidence in Mahoney, and ensures the history of his episcopacy will remain forever marred by questionable doctrinal and pastoral actions.**

Bump that!

[m4629]

As seen in the Oakland Diocese, which has the last 2 bishops as out of town prolife boys, that’s a slap in the face of the retire flunky bishop Embarassetus. Vatican has his ways of showing displeasure.

[A.A. Cunningham]

I said like, not necessarily him.

You also said:

"And, don't forget, this is a red hat in six years. Chaput is about the right age for that."

[A.A. Cunningham]

Mahony won't go easily into the night and it's no secret that he and Chaput do not care for one another.

The Holy Father can choose whoever he wishes to replace Mahony but I'll eat my hat if Chaput gets the nod.

[baa39]

He isn’t called “Roger the Dodger” only because of the baseball team.

[Salvation]

Did anyone hear anything about this?

The date given for info coming out was February 27th.

Hmmmm. Is something fishy in LA?

[Salvation]

I keep searching for new information here, but this is all I am finding (from a church in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.)

The announcement was supposedly made February 27 -- but it must be hush-hush, becuase I'm not finding anything except this peayer.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Prayer for a new archbishop of Los Angeles

His Eminence Cardinal Roger M. Mahony is asking all Catholics to pray for the appointment of his successor as archbishop of Los Angeles. Here is the official prayer:

Lord God, you are our eternal and guide. In your mercy,
grant to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles a shepherd
who will walk in your ways and who watchful care will
bring us your blessing.

In your love for us, give us the joy of receiving a shepherd
who will be an example of goodness to your people and
who will fill our hearts and minds with the truth of the Gospel.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for-
ever and ever. AMEN.

[RobbyS]

Mahoney has friends and allies in the US hierarchy, even the conservative Cardinal of Philadelphia.

[Steelfish]

Mahony’s “Cathedral” in Los Angeles is an insult to all that we may call rich and inspiring in Catholic Architecture.

[Steelfish]

Does anyone know about his stance on traditional Catholic liturgy, rituals; sacred music; architecture? Mahony has trashed the rich Catholic patrimony of his vast diocese that spans all of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Will he bring back sacred Catholic iconic imagery and statuary to Our Lady of the Angeles? Will he mandate a Latin Mass? These crucial questions are not answered in any of the links posted on this thread. Perhaps his tenure at San Antonio is the best clue. Any San Antonionians out there?

[NoRedTape]

Heck, it’s not that bad. The parking kinda gives me a headache on a busy day, but it is so squished. It’s not a warm and comfy interior, but I love the Saint’s banners on the walls. May God Bless that Parish, and all the many great Missions up and down the coast.

[Salvation]

Sockmoney, can you answer this question for us?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2441187/posts?page=38#38