Posted on 03/03/2010 10:53:57 PM PST by Salvation
Cardinal Roger Mahony celebrated his 74th birthday on Saturday, and at his suggestion the Los Angeles archdiocese has already begun praying for his successor: a coadjutor archbishop whose appointment is expected in the near future. It will be a very important appointment, so naturally the rumor mills in Rome are working overtime, churning out the names of possible leaders for the largest archdiocese in the US.
One professional Vatican-watcher, Paolo Rodari, reports that he is hearing the name of Archbishop James Harvey mentioned frequently. As Rodari points out, it is extremely unlikely that Archbishop Harvey would be chosen for Los Angeles--and that's what makes the rumor so interesting.
A priest of the Milwaukee archdiocese, Archbishop Harvey worked for years in the Vatican Secretariat of State. Then in 1998 he was chosen by Pope John Paul II to become prefect of the pontifical household: a post he holds to this day. While that position puts him inside the apostolic palace, with direct access to the Pope, Archbishop Harvey has been a Vatican functionary for the past few decades rather than a hands-on pastor. He has no experience running an American diocese, and it seems far-fetched that he would be thrust immediately into the biggest American diocese of them all.
So why is his name in circulation? Rodari offers two likely possibilities, which are not mutually exclusive. Maybe some Vatican officials--the ones dropping his name--think Archbishop Harvey deserves his own (arch)diocesan assignment. And/or maybe they think that after 13 years at his present job, he's due for a change. Remember the name.
I don’t think this archbishop has the qualificiations that the other bishops mentioned on the Part 1 and Part 2 threads above have.
Any opinions?
Anyone know what is happening here? It was supposed to be announced earlier, I thought.
The archdiocese here is L.A. has been way too liberal. It has sided with illegal immigration among other things. I hope and pray for a Bishop who is very conservative.
Comments anyone?
Everyone?
Catholic Ping!
Depends on his skill set. Whoever is sent out there has to be a diplomat and be a darn good administrator on top of everything else. I can’t imagine that they’d send somebody who hasn’t lived in the US for years to a mess like LA. Not much sense.
My vote: Bishop Robert Vasa from Oregon. Just Google his name and you’ll have more than enough orthodox citations to agree with me.
From what I have read about Mahoney, he is a disgrace to the Church. I pray that his replacement is a good man.
Eastern Oregon — very conservative (and some in Western Oregon like me) love Vasa. But he would not be liked in Los Angeles. I doubt that would be a possibility. But then we don’t know Pope Benedict’s mind, do we?
“My vote: Bishop Robert Vasa from Oregon.”
That would be a good choice.
“But he would not be liked in Los Angeles.”
Should people who like Mahoney be given what they like?
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