Auspicious news for the Catholic Church in San Francisco and a nod of approval from Pope Benedict that he has great faith in Bishop Cordileone's talents:
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of Oakland as the new Archbishop of San Francisco, the Vatican announced today.
The 56 year-old San Diego-native replaces Archbishop George Niederauer, 76, who has led the archdiocese since 2006.
In an archdiocese renowned for its same-sex marriage battles, the appointment is particularly noteworthy: Bishop Cordileone is a forthright defender of traditional marriage, known for his strong pro-life record and theological orthodoxy.
...Since January 2011, Bishop Cordileone has served as chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage, leading efforts to resist the legalization of same-sex marriage. He is also a member of the USCCB's Committee on Religious Liberty. --National Catholic Register
8 Comments
As a Catholic in a diocese that has had staunch conservative leadership for decades (Lincoln, NE), I can only congratulate the faithful in San Francisco for acquiring a shepherd who is not afraid to confront the wolves stalking his flock. As one article said today - The Holy Spirit has guts. This appointment, the latest in several that His Holiness had made putting bona fide conservatives into high profile episcopal positions in the US, is probably the most courageous of all. And the faithful in San Francisco can look forward to having him around for quite some time, for unless he's hijacked to Rome, he's unlikely to be moved into any other diocese, since San Francisco's seat is a major episcopal seat, and remember, he's only 56. There's a good two decades of Archbishop (and probably sometime soon, Cardinal) Cordileone fated for San Francisco. And one final thought - now, perhaps, we might finally see the long overdue excommunication of Nancy Pelosi. The sooner she and the other CINO's are removed from the Church's rolls the better off the Church will be. It becomes very difficult for NPR to spin the comments of such as she as being representative of Catholic reaction when the Church has officially said they are not Catholic.
A great leader so sorely needed to help defend relentless attacks on religious freedom!!
outstanding Job...
Much like Cardinal Dolan in N.Y. - the Church in its wisdom knows that Catholics in particularly hostile secular enviroments require strong leadership and clarity of vision.
The Church is admired when it stands by its values...and in doing so wins converts. There is no dearth of practincing Catholics in the Bay Area.
Now those Catholics have authentic and strong witness. Look for that witness to bear fruit in the midst of enemy territory.
Like Jonah going to Nineveh. May heaven's blessings buoy him up as he has a big job to do.
Bishop Salvatore Cordileone's arguments in favor of the marriage idea, and against the SSM idea, are very accessible to all citizens, religious and irreligious.
Yes, he attends to his flock. And that includes those who feel same-sex sexual attraction and those who care very much about their friends who feel such attractions.
But Bishop Salvatore Cordileone does much more than that when he takes to the public square and defends marriage for all of society.
He makes room for all of us who stand for marriage and against the assertion of the supremacy of gay identity politics.
Whatever happened to separation of church and state?
Many religions are supporting gay marriage. Various Jewish, Episcopalian, and other denominations have even developed services for this. People should be allowed to practice their religions in America, without the Catholics saying that thir rules must be forcedon all.
Fitz, If only they had a leader like him in Denmark,　Sweden and Belgium, those are the worst places. California is quite conservative in comparison as according to prop 8 most people in that state agree with religous views on marriage
All good Catholics should be delighted that the pope chose Abp Cordileone to lead the faithful in San Francisco. The Lavender Mafia is already in a state of panic over his appointment to a diocese long in need of an orthodox conservative shepherd. May God bless him and give him strength. He will need it to succeed in the "belly of the beast".