Statement on the Appointment of Archbishop Jose Gomez

Today, my good friend Archbishop José Gomez was appointed by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to be the Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles. This means that when Cardinal Roger Mahony retires Archbishop Gomez will immediately succeed him.  Cardinal Mahony has been an outstanding shepherd for the Los Angeles Archdiocese for 25 years.

Here is the statement that I released to the press earlier today.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2010

Statement of Archbishop Timothy Dolan on the Appointment of Archbishop José Gomez as Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, released the following statement today on the appointment of Archbishop José Gomez as Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles.

“I was overjoyed to learn of the appointment of Archbishop José Gomez of San Antonio as the Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles.  He will be a great blessing to the Catholic faithful of our nation’s largest archdiocese, and to the entire Los Angeles community, as well as to my good friend, Cardinal Roger Mahony, who has served the Los Angeles Archdiocese so faithfully for 25 years.

“I have known Archbishop Gomez for more than a decade.  I cherish his friendship and admire his zeal.  I look forward to working together even more closely in the years to come, and assure him of my prayers as he prepares to undertake this new phase of service to Christ and his church.”