Gomez Makes History in Los Angeles Archdiocese

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For the first time in the history of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, it will be led by an Hispanic Archbishop.
Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that Archbishop Jose Gomez, a 58-year-old native of Mexico, will be the next head of the archdiocese. He will take over for Cardinal Roger Mahony, the longest tenured Cardinal in the United States.
"It is one of the great Catholic communities in the world," Gomez said Monday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels."Los Angeles, like no other city in the world, has the global face of the Catholic Church."

Gomez comes to Los Angeles after spending five years in San Antonio, where he led the archdiocese. He said he will miss the city, but he was excited to lead the Los Angeles archdiocese.
He and Mahony addressed dozens of members of the media from across the country, speaking in both English and Spanish. The outgoing Cardinal said he understood the importance of the announcement.
"This is an epic moment in the life of the Church of the United States," Mahony said.
He also said it reflected a commitment by the Catholic Church to its Hispanic members.

"This is a recognition by our Holy Father that the Spanish-speaking Catholic community in the United States is a highest priority," he said.

Gomez will officially assume his post in 2011, when Mahony turns 75. He admitted, however, that has much to learn about Los Angeles. But Mahony said he would spend the next few months helping the incoming Archbishop to acclimate to Los Angeles.