Archbishop Levada’s appointment to Vatican post significant for U.S. Church
Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper
(CNS PHOTO BY GREG TARCZYNSKI)
By Maurice Healy
Archbishop William J. Levada delivers a homily at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
San Francisco Archbishop William J. Levada said his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI to head the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is significant because an American was selected for the post. The appointment, announced May 13, marked the first time a U.S. prelate has headed the congregation. It is the oldest of the Vatican’s nine congregations and is considered primary in responsibility and influence. Pope Benedict, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was prefect of the doctrinal congregation from 1981 until the death of Pope John Paul II in April. In an interview with Catholic San Francisco, Archbishop Levada said it was significant that a U.S. bishop was selected for a position that traditionally has been held by a European. “Being an American did not exclude me from the job,” he said. “It shows that the pope is comfortable with Americans, and open to their perspectives” he added. In naming Archbishop Levada, 68, the pope chose someone who has worked closely with the congregation over the last 30 years. He was a congregation staff member
from 1976 to 1982 and has been a bishopmember of the congregation since 2000. In the 1980s, Archbishop Levada collaborated with then-Cardinal Ratzinger as one of a small group of bishops appointed to write the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.” In November 2003 he began a three-year term as chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Doctrine. As reported by Catholic San Francisco, Archbishop Levada met privately with Pope Benedict 10 days before his appointment was announced. His new position means that he will be named a cardinal in a future consistory. With the Vatican appointment, Archbishop Levada immediately became Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. However, he also has been appointed Apostolic Administrator for the Archdiocese. As Administrator has retains full power as bishop, such as the appointment of pastors. Archbishop Levada said he plans to remain in the Archdiocese as Administrator until August 17, which is the 10th anniversary of his appointment as the Archbishop of San Francisco in 1995. U.S. CHURCH, page 4
Archbishop Levada meets with members of parish pastoral councils By Jack Smith About 250 members of pastoral councils at parishes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco came together May 14 to hear from Archbishop William J. Levada and to join in discussion. The long-planned meeting took on an unexpected color following the previous-day announcement that Archbishop Levada had been appointed Prefect for the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith by Pope Benedict XVI. When Archbishop Levada entered the St. Francis Room beneath St. Mary’s Cathedral, the assembled rose and sang “Congratulations to you!” In fact, Archbishop Levada explained, he had already taken his new office and as such was no longer Archbishop of San Francisco, but rather Archbishop Emeritus. Nonetheless, the new Prefect
Hundreds of parish pastoral council members meet on May 14.
PARISH COUNCILS, page 3
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Archbishop’s statement. . . . . 5
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Scripture and reflection Classified ads. . . . . . . . . . . 19
Loretto Knights. . . . . . . . . . . 8 Editorial and letters . . . . . . 12 Year of the Eucharist. . . . . . 15 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
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