Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone,
Archdiocese of San Francisco
Tonight’s LifeSiteNews describes efforts by some self-styled “Catholics” of San Francisco to remove their Archbishop, who has been appointed to lead the flock for the salvation of their souls. Unnaturally, they choose not to hear, but rather to petition Pope Francis to give them what they do want to hear. It couldn’t have been more clearly said: “Holy Father, Please Provide Us With a Leader True to Our Values….” Those petitioners (avid Democrats for the most part; Pelosi and Obama supporters, e.g.) could not have been clearer: “Teach us what we want to hear; i.e. that the sins in which we are enmeshed are perfectly acceptable behaviors and consistent with the Gospels and our own distorted understanding of Who Christ really is, and what He really taught.” What is so ironic is that this group can actually publicly identify their desire to be lied to about the very teachings that have the potential to save their souls. They are not ignorant; just disobedient. They have what St. Paul calls “itchy ears.” And it is an apt demonstration of how being trapped in the darkness of sin can completely alter perception.
There seems to be an implicit group think that goes something like this: “If we all stick together, demanding accommodation of our sins, God can’t send ALL of us to Hell, can He? And if we can get the Archbishop to permit our sins, even endorse them, well then surely we won’t go to Hell, as we’ll have someone else to blame — the Archbishop who didn’t do what God called him to do!” Hah! That might work with some bishops and a few Cardinals, but not with Abp. Cordileone. Thank God for such a brave, committed, heroic man after God’s own heart. Thank God for a God Who permits His Alter Christus to suffer the taunts and rejections as Christ did, so that he can exclaim like the Apostles in ACTS 5:41 in leaving the Sanhedrin where they had been abused: “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.”
The spotlight which the SF abusers are shedding on Abp. Cordileone is creating a great teaching opportunity in the Church and across the country. It is amazing how God seizes such opportunities. If the San Francisco Archdiocese wanted to buy this kind of publicity, for defining what is sinful and what isn’t, and how children should be protected, and what faithfulness means, they could not have come anywhere near capturing this teaching moment, as the world deliberately sorts itself into wheat and weeds, sheep and goats. Let us pray for the faithful Archbishop, and for the people in his care. Let’s also consider sending him a personal note, thanking him for representing the Catholic Faith so well, and for being such an inspiring example for us. His address is: