Committee on Chicano Rights, Inc FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE National City, CA May 10,1989 The naming of Bishop Robert H. Brom as bishop for the San Die Catholic Diocese was labeled by Committee on Chicano Rights (CCR) chairperson Herman Baca as a "Racist decision and an insult to the million parishioners of Mexican ancestry who comprise over 50% of the San Diego Catholic diocese". The decision to name Bishop Blom over Aux. Bishop Gilbert Chavez who has served as the auxilary Bishop for the last 15 years stated Baca "is not only a racist slap in the face to the Spanish speaking community but is also a clear manifisation that racism and colonialism which has historically affl- cted the U.S. Catholic hierarchy is not only alive but continues to flourish". This degrading decision continue Baca is "a clear message to those who struggled in the late 60's and 70's for institutional change and equal representation within the Catholic church for the Spanish Speaking that conservative elements in the church hierarchy are now attempting to turn the clock back by reviving the pratice of colonialism and racism as official church policy". In concluding, Baca stated that "the conservatives have obviously capturured the ear of the Pope as seen by the effort to canonize Father Junipero Serra and the Pope turning away from promises • made to Chicano Bishops in Rome this year to institute a new deal and major changes for the spanish speaking in the United States". END For further information call Herman Baca (619) 474-8195 710 East 3rd Street • National City, CA 92050 • 619-474-8195 THE STAR-NEWS — Thur3U.S, 30, 1974 ChWeZ is second in /Vt' exican-American bishop full of plans to 'rally the people' Rev. Gilbert Chavez is the In his three years at Our Lady of second Mexican-American in the Guadalupe, Bishop Chavez related U.S. to be named a bishop in the directly with the Spanish-speaking Roman Catholic church. community and watched its leaders In April, he was named bishop by emerge. Pope Paul VI. San Ysidro, he stated, does have leadership, though it is not quite "I WAS stunned," admitted the united. Progress comes slowly, 42-year-old San Ysidro priest. When admitted the former chaplain of a he first learned of his promotion as state institution for drug addicts. auxiliary bishop to the Most Rev. Leo T. Mahler of San Diego, he "couldn't sleep." The significance SAN YSIDRO is young, he of the appointment, said the bishop, continued, and is experiencing is "kind of overwhelming." "pains of growth." External Bishop Chavez said his appoint- divisions among its leaders is ment represents successful efforts "natural," he feels. to bring more Spanish-speaking Bishop Chavez expects to see bishops into the church: The Priest those pains reoccur in other Senate and Sisters Senate, as well as Southern California communities. Chicano movements in San Diego, He accepts pain as part of growing San Bernardino and Riverside up and believes that, "in time, this counties, fought for this appoint- community will be very dynamic." ment. When community leaders By bringing more Mexican- BISHOP GILBERT CHAVEZ emerge and become visible, he said, Americans into the church, said the San Ysidro priest then people can begin to broaden Mild-mannered Chavez, Catholicism Through women's vocational their horizons and clearly see ideals. will become "more relevant" to its training, youth counseling, legal aid, Will the emergence of more Spanish-speaking constituency. An and training for responsible Mexican-Americans mean a rift in estimated 35 to 50 percent of the parenthood, he said, "people can be the Catholic Church? U.S. Catholic population is Mexican- given responsibility to grow and That, replied the bishop, depends American, he said. mature in their capacity as involved on the eyes of the beholder. And in the southland, approxi- persons in their community." "It's symbolic progress," he mately 400,-000 Catholics are Adults and youths should have said. He looks at his appointment as Spanish-speaking. Giving these positive values, believes Bishop an "answer to the prayers" of the people visible Mexican-American Chavez. Parents should impart upon Mexican-American community. For leaders, he hopes, will encourage their children "something more three years, explained, the soft- them to become active in the positive, something more lasting spoken man, people within the church. than daily bread," he said. church have been trying to get more . Parents should also consider Spanish-speaking members into the AS BISHOP; the priest from Our limiting the size of their family, diocese. Lady of Guadalupe. will visit believes Bishop Chavez, "to act as southland areas "to organize and responsible parents to themselves rally the people who want to work and their community." BISHOP CHAVEZ now believes and support" the church. Programs similar to those that "sometimes Rome does listen. One of his goals as bishop is to offered in the church-funded San Once we have two," he said "be able to get lay people involved" Diego center, he said, should spread "(referring to himself and a in the Catholic church." to other communities. Mexican-American bishop in San , Bishop Chavez would like to see a BISHOP CHAVEZ anticipates Antonio, Texas), "other people in council express laymen's ideas and moving on to San Bernardino and other diocese in other states" will views. "Once we have the people Riverside counties "to promote also be promoted. united," he feels, "we can solicit more programs, discover leadership People in Pew York, New funds for different programs." in different communities and Mexico, Chicago and Florida will With this nucleus of church encourage them to develop and soon begin asking for Spanish- activists, believes Bishop Chavez, grow." speaking church .leaders, he ' the means and ways" of worth- The border is another area predicts. while programs will fall in place. drawing his attention. Bishop- "Some people can look at things Chavez wants to put personnel at the and call it division," , he admitted. AS AN example of what he would border crossing to foster better. "But the emphasis is trying to meet '.like to see in the southland, Bishop relations between immigration the needs of all persons." Cha'vek pointed to the Padre agents and Spanish-speaking people Appointing Mexican-Americans "Illdalago,Center and Guadalupanas passing through the gate. to lead the church is sewing up a sttT' .ofirit;',Zoiegq... These ,' .Presently, the relationship at the division felt by ,Spanish-speaking skiatio* swith which he has been border is "negative" and,. Catholics, hesaid.. yolired,.. work to develop leaders "authoritative," according to the "If you try to see things in a -,ifor the church 1 11 11 1 I .II I 1 • 1 I May 11, 1989 E. Chavez who had been social justice, for social 25152 .5251539951' Chicanos Voice Opinions On serving as Auxiliary Bishop of causes," pointed out Father X. San k:21w and Titular Bishop Bishop's Appointment of 114- armel since April 16, To this reporter it was (Con't from pg 1) 1974, would be appointed as obvious that something was coadjutor and succeed Bishop remiss when it became known Chicanos Not Happy Maher upon his retirement. that Aux. Bishop Gilberto for Hispanic catholics. A few Hispanic Catholic to move Arch Bishop Mahoney, whA Chavez was not present nor months ago he met in Rome against the church and force it To Chicanos, the San Diego has the most say in these invited to the press conference with Aux. Bishop Gilberto to heed his needs in the 60's Diocesis is a logical place to With Choice of matters requesting that a announcing the appointment Chavez, Bishop Joseph and 70's. have a Hispanic Bishop. The Spanish-speaking Bishop be of the Very Reverand Robert H. Madera, Fresno Diocese, Aux, Father X said "This Catholic population in San designated. Brom of Duluth, Minn. to Bishop! Bishop Juan Arzube and appointment does not come Diego is well over 850,000. Of Failing that, to appoint a become Coadjutor Bishop of Armando Ochoa, Los Angeles directly from the Pope. He this, 463,000 are registered in Bishop that was familiar with the See of San Diego. Diocese, Aux. Bishop Alfonso relies on the selection by the rolls of the church. Of those the the Hispanic culture, the This was perceived as a by Daniel L. Mulloz Gallegos, Sacramento Diocese Congress of Bishops, in Rome. registered, over 56% are nity. He has denied him the language and the relationships direct insult to Bishop Gilberto and the Vicar for the Spanish In turn, the Congress of Chicanos-Hispanics. The power to carry out the duties between Mexico and the U.S., Chavez and the Hispanic Speaking in Orange County, Bishops is sent nominations by other are so call "social Alcala Park - Stating that "it is and responsibilities of his in particular the border community. A serious blow to Tomas Clavel and once again Archbishop George Mahoney, Catholics" i.e. they attend not easy to leave the diocese of office. Nor, has he provided regions. Bishop Maher did not the aspirations and hopes of stated his support to Los Angeles diocese, from Easter and Christmas Services, Duluth, where during the past him with staffing to do the job. ask for any opinions from the the Hispanic Catholic six years he had come to know For all intent and purposes, strengthen the Hispanic Bishop Leo T. Maher, and the weddings and funerals. The church in America. His naming Hispanic community. community has been delt. and love the priests and Aux. Bishop Chavez has been a Pro-Nuncio, Pio Lehi who The retirement of Bishop biggest inroads by the people," Bishop Robert H.