Pastor’s Column

NEWS FROM BISHOP SOTO

In the vestibule, please find an important missive from our bishop. It provides information regarding the consequences of California AB 218, which was signed into law by Governor Newsom in 2019 and opened a three-year window wherein the statute of limitations for abuse cases was lifted. That three-year window closed at the end of last year (2022), which means our bishop now has enough information to make judgments about the financial future of the diocese. The letter in the vestibule provides a frank evaluation of that and warns that the diocese may be facing insolvency. It also reaffirms the commitment of the diocese to guard against future crimes of this kind and to make reparation for the horrors perpetuated in the past by those who acted under its authority.

I am sure all of you know very clearly where I stand on such acts of abuse and what I consider to be appropriate levels of punishment for those who perpetuate them. I invite you to offer some part of your Lenten penances and prayers in reparation for these crimes and for the sake of the victims.

I do also ask you to read carefully the missive of the bishop, in a calm spirit of trust. I am always struck by the paternal care and warm solicitude that Bishop Soto extends towards myself and to the other priests and to the faithful of this parish. I am reminded of this in every interaction that I have with him. He has always been generous with his time and attention when I have approached him regarding the pastoral needs of our people. What is more, he has shielded us on many occasions over the past few years against threats civil and even, sadly, ecclesiastical. I know that he has strongly advocated for us particularly and for traditional Catholics generally both within and outside the boundaries of his diocese, often at his own initiative and sometimes at personal cost. And so I ask all of you to please keep him in your prayers as he navigates the diocese through very difficult circumstances.

I had intended to bring the Annual Catholic Appeal to your attention this Sunday. I was supposed to have done so last weekend but somehow it wasn’t on my calendar. Given the circumstances, I have decided to postpone this a week or two. This is not to play games but to give people time to process this difficult news. When the time comes, I trust that we will still be faithful in supporting the efforts of almsgiving of the diocese. God bless you all.